Ship of Fools

Scripture

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” –Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAaPFFgCVwU

Thoughts

Before getting into my thoughts, I want to share with you the reasons why I chose to write about this topic. First – there are people still searching for what they believe. Whether they find this helpful or find the answers they’re looking for from someone else, I want people to find the One answer to everything in life. Second – in all of the chatter about Christianity and theology, one important thing sometimes gets lost … Christ. He is a person who loves you and wants to lead you home.

Hop into a large sailing ship and it could take you around the entire globe. You’d need someone who knows which path to take and you’d need provision for the trip. Point is, it’s possible. There was also a time in history, in the 14th and 15th centuries, where authorities would put a bunch of “crazies” on a boat and set them a sail on the open seas…knowing they wouldn’t be able to navigate it properly; knowing it would lead to their ultimate demise. This is where the phrase “ship of fools” is derived.

So – which ship are you on?

The soul is justified by faith alone, and not by any works. Also, the soul cannot be justified simply by thinking you’re okay because of the social theology you’ve constructed in your own mind. Therefore, there is absolutely nothing I can do to earn a right standing with God or just “believe” my own way to this place. Our works play a role in life, but not when it comes to being made right before God. Since faith alone justifies, it is clear that our souls cannot be freed or saved by any outer work or action at all. Faith alone justifies and offers us such a treasure of great benefits without works.

Then what?

How do we know we’ve TRULY prayed the prayer and have received God’s full and unconditional acceptance? This is a question that has sparked furious debate for centuries. On one hand, if faith alone connects us with God, then this belief can lead us into an inactive faith, living and behaving no different than before. If there is no outward evidence of faith, is this person’s faith even real? On the other hand, if we continue to hold onto a belief that we must continually earn God’s acceptance, this could lead to an exhausting faith where we have a hard time saying no, which only leads to eventually feeling “burned out.” If we work so hard for God that we feel that not even God can fuel us or fill us up, is this person’s faith real?

“We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!” -1 Corinthians 4:10

“I am determined not to act on my feelings but simply on the basis of the promises.” -Outgrowing the Ingrown Church by Jack Miller

Sometimes…we get caught up too much in the debate and end up missing the point.

A person can think himself wise without God. A person can make up his own rules or beliefs when it comes to God. A person can discern his own path of wisdom. A person can trust his own counsel, believing it will lead him to a desirable destination. And … it’s certain that at least some of the people placed on a ship of fools actually thought that they were given freedom and provision to go anywhere or do anything they wanted, believing they could navigate the ship. However, there is no record that even one “ship of fools” ever reached a destination safely.

If we truly cared about our destination, we would rely heavily on the map we’ve been given. Without God’s love, I’m lost. Without using God’s Word and Spirit as the source of all knowledge and truth, I’m lost. Without living the purpose for which God created me, I’m lost. Without Jesus, I’m lost.

“The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.” -Proverbs 14:16

God doesn’t want to control you. He wants to save you. When we forget this truth, we often begin to debate all sorts of things about God and often lose sight of how He wants to guide us through life and into a glorious future. God isn’t the captain on the ship, asking you to continually swab the deck and do the grunt work. He allows you to be the captain, steering the ship. God is the star that guides you by night, the sun that guides you by day and the lighthouse that brings you home safely.

Imagery

Make sure you’re on the right boat for the right reasons.