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Why is it vital to understand the concept of foolishness in order to properly and profoundly appreciate the gospel?
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If we understand the depths of our sin, we see that our need of a Savior is great. Jesus becomes more beautiful and desirable to us as we see the extent of his love that entered our world and sacrifice for us.
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The gospel saves us not only from those listed sins – lying, murder, adultery – but also from any movement away from God, any attempt to replan God with my own efforts to make life good or keep life from being bad. Foolishness is just that and the gospel is the glorious salvation from that self directed living, that God rejecting living.
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Because then the full usefulness of the gospel is shown. When we see our deep need for God, largely due to our inheirant foolishness, we can have a much greater understanding of and aprreciation for the Gospel.
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The concept of foolishness shows us that we were irreparable to begin with, that there is no redemption within us unless God decided to step in. From day one, we are already set on a course towards evil/self-seeking, and have no way to gaining true wisdom unless God intervened. It must be so sad for God to look on us and to see the gap between Himself and us.
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The Good News is wisdom personified. It is the cure, the prevention, the ultimate, and ongoing solution to foolishness within us. We are totally and completely unable, even with the help of parents, cultural wisdom, trial and error, pondering, training, etc to develop our own true wisdom. It’s only found in God. It can only be grown in us by the Holy Spirit and in the presence of a Holy Spirit-formed community of believers.