30/09/07

The Fool's Folly

Psalm 53 describes the atheist and gives eight reasons why he is a fool. First, he does not acknowledge God (Psalm 53:1). He lives as if there is no God. He does not obey God (Psalm 53:1). Some people think that human nature is basically kind and good. Not so. We are abominably corrupt by nature (Rom. 3:9). He does not understand God (Psalm 53:2). If you don't have the Spirit of God, you can't understand the things of God. Atheists say they won't accept anything they can't understand. Actually, there is little in the world they do understand!

The fool does not seek God (Psalm 53:2). No one by himself seeks God and comes to know Him. God invites us to seek Him, and He has mercy on us. Atheist is like a person who has not received an invitation to a party so says there is no party. He does not follow God's way (Psalm 53:3). God has ordained the right path for us. Being a Christian is not easy, and many people do not want to pay the price. The narrow road leads to life and is tough; the broad road is the easy way until the end (Matt. 7:13,14).

The fool does not call on God (Psalm 53:4). Such people are mercenary and do not treat others right. He does not fear God (Psalm 53:5). The day will come when the fool will be afraid. He lives with a false confidence and one day will face judgment. He does not hope in God (Psalm 53:6). The person who leaves God out of his life has no future.

God's people have a future of eternal life. However, anyone who professes to be a Christian but lives like an atheist also is a fool. The atheist lives as if there is no God. You, as God's child, eagerly await eternal life. However, if you fail to walk with the Lord, you behave as a fool. Fear God, lay hold of your spiritual resources in Christ and hope in Him. May Jesus help us to acknowledge the goodness, greatness and majesty of Almighty God.

[ Reference Scriptures ]

Psalm 53:1-6 [NIV]
¹ The fool says in his heart,
   "There is no God."
   They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
   there is no one who does good.
² God looks down from heaven
   on the sons of men
   to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God.
³ Everyone has turned away,
   they have together become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.
⁴ Will the evildoers never learn-
   those who devour my people as men eat bread
   and who do not call on God?
⁵ There they were, overwhelmed with dread,
   where there was nothing to dread.
   God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
   you put them to shame, for God despised them.
⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
   When God restores the fortunes of his people,
   let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Rom. 3:9 [NIV]
⁹ What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

Matt. 7:13,14 [NIV]
¹³ "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)