The Folly Of Foolishness

“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!”

– Psalms 53:1

The psalmist is clear . . . Those who say there is no God are foolish, they are corrupt and none of them does good.  In their foolishness, they believe there is no God and because they believe there is no God, they behave foolishly..  Spurgeon writes, “Those who talk so abominably as to deny their Maker will act abominably when it serves their turn.”

John Bradford, a 16th century evangelical may be credited with the phrase, “There but by the grace of God, go I”.  Paul reminds us that apart from God’s grace, our corruption and condemnation would be the same, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain . . . ” (1 Cor 15:10).

The Depth Of God’s Love.  The disciple John reminds us of the commitment of God’s compassion, “For God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17).   From the self-proclaimed atheist to the self-absorbed pleasure seeker, God’s love is available and abundant.

The Desire Of God’s Love.  Paul draws insight from Psalm 53 in his letter to the Christ-followers in Rome, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” (Rom 3:10-11). He also describes the desire of His devotion, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly . . . but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:6, 8). No matter the condition of the heart or soul, God desires to convict, to convert, to change and to consecrate.

The Destiny Of God’s Love.  Spurgeon writes, “Bad principles soon lead to bad lives.”  By His love, God transforms bad lives into blessed lives.  John encourages us, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are . . . Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3)

With all of our abilities, aptitudes and approaches, we can not affect the heart.  Those who deny God are foolish . . . nothing we can do can change that . . . apart from the transforming power of God’s love.

The psalmist concludes Psalm 53 with this query, “Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When God restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice”. (Psalms 53:6). Who will reach the ridiculous?  Only our Redeemer.