The Lutheran Hour

"Wisdom and Foolishness"

#78-24
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on February 20, 2011
Speaker: Rev. Ken Klaus
Copyright 2025 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:19-20

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! The words proclaiming Jesus’
resurrection victory are the Lord’s sign and seal that Jesus has conquered
sin, death, and devil for us. With Holy Spirit-given faith we receive the
wisdom and peace which can come only from the crucified and risen Christ. May
the Father above grant such faith to us all. Amen.

Can you discern between wisdom and foolishness? A number of years ago the
family and I took our large white dog to a friend’s cottage. We went down to
the dock and looked at the water, which around shore at least; the algae had
turned a lovely shade of pea-soup green. We watched in amazement as our large,
white dog calmly stepped two feet off the dock and onto what she thought was
some nicely cut grass. I don’t know if dogs can be embarrassed, but for the
rest of the day, as we washed our large green dog, her eyes seemed to say,
“Sorry, I’m usually not this stupid.” What that dog had thought was wisdom was
really foolishness and folly.

Can you discern between the two? On my last trip to Egypt, a poor street
beggar, a young lad with brown eyes came up to one of my fellow travelers. The
boy had a $100-dollar bill and he said the bank wouldn’t change it for someone
who looked so scruffy. He wanted to know if the nice American would give him 5
twenty-dollar bills for it. My friend made the exchange and ended up with a
truly excellent counterfeit. Today, that fake $100 bill is framed and hangs
over his fireplace as a memento to the day when his wisdom really was nothing
more than foolishness and folly.

Now most of us admit that there are some choices which are almost always
foolish. Young people are shown movies in driver’s ed about what can happen if
they speed or if they drink and drive. Still, when those teens are out on
their own, when there’s no parent or driving instructor around to monitor
them, it’s pretty tempting to show you’re the exception to the rule; that
you’ve got the ability to have just a few drinks and still make sober
decisions. And when the kids in the back seat are urging you to a greater
speed, it’s hard to keep your foot off the accelerator.

Wisdom versus foolishness. Sometimes it’s only in retrospect that most of us
can tell the difference. Coaches spend hours trying to think up the miracle,
surefire play which they can send in to win the game. Only the final score
will tell if their choice was wise or foolish. Businessmen agonize over the
bid they’ve submitted to get a contract. They weigh the need to make a profit
against being low enough to snag the deal. Only signatures on the dotted line
will determine if their choice was wise or foolish.

An encouragement to embrace the wisdom of God and reject the foolishness of
the world is the point the Apostle Paul was trying to make with the Christians
in the church at Corinth. In the 3rd chapter of his first letter to them he
wrote, “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written,
“(The Lord) catches the wise in their craftiness,” Paul was writing from
experience. You see, Paul hadn’t always been the wisest of individuals. Oh, he
had always been smart and intelligent. He was a Pharisee, one of Judaism’s
elite. He had spent time studying with one of the greatest rabbis of the age.
Paul had the smarts… but you know and I know being smart isn’t the same
thing as being wise. It’s not the same thing at all. That was a truth Paul
learned the hard way. I say that because, when Scripture first introduces the
apostle, he was murdering people to the glory of God. It took direct
intervention on the part of the Savior to convince Paul that the Triune God
preferred him to love, rather than kill, his neighbor.

Having been entrusted by the Jewish leadership to root out the new sect of
people who were following the crucified and risen Christ, Paul was on the road
to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him and asked, “Paul, why are you
persecuting Me?” Paul didn’t have an answer that would stand up to the reality
of his vision and he eventually became one of Jesus’ front-line missionaries.
With gladness and joy he went from town to town, province to province
proclaiming the grace of God as it is revealed in the Savior Who had allowed
Himself to be sacrificed to save sinners. Gladly Paul told people how Jesus
had, according to prophecy, been born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He spoke of
how Jesus had performed miracles which could only be done by God’s Son. With
gladness Paul repeated the wonderful truths which Jesus had preached. But the
most important thing Paul did was tell people that Jesus had taken their
place. Jesus had taken their place by fulfilling the law; He had taken their
place by resisting temptation; taken their place when He carried their sins,
taken their place when He died on the cross. Then Jesus had assured the
wondering world that His intervention and intercession was complete when, on
the third day, he rose from the dead.

Freely, gladly, Paul, along with Isaiah, admitted all his previous attempts at
pleasing God had been nothing more than the filthiest of rags. (Is 64:6)
Thankfully, humbly, Paul rejoiced in the Triune God Who had removed his
previous foolishness and made him truly wise… wise in following the Savior
Who alone offers eternal life. Believers and unbelievers, noble, knight,
commoner, and slave all heard Paul’s confession of God’s grace and His call to
faith. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved…” That was
what St. Paul said to a suicidal jailor in the city of Philippi. To the church
at Rome he wrote: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro. 5:8) To the Christians in Ephesus, he
proclaimed: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not
your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one
may boast.”And to the Galatian Christians, Paul writes, “we know that a person
is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ,”
(2:8). Overwhelmed by what God had done for him personally, Paul could not
contain himself. He had to share the good news of the Gospel the true wisdom
of the Lord which says: “Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. There is no
other.”

That is the same good news that God wishes us to hear, to hear and believe. He
wants us to know how His Son came to live a perfect life and fulfill the laws
which have tripped up all of humanity. He wants us to know how Jesus spent His
life doing the Father’s business of redeeming souls, how Jesus preached words
of love; healed sores and sickness with hands of grace and called men away
from pain and problems. Then, continuing His unbelievable act of love,
betrayed by one of His closest associates, deserted by His friends, rejected
by church and state, the Savior had allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross.
No human eye, seeing the agony of the innocent Son of God, could have thought
this was a good thing, a wise thing, a blessed thing. But Scripture is clear:
God used the tragedy of His Son’s crucifixion and the glory of His third-day
resurrection to give us good news, great news, the best news anyone will ever
hear.

Sadly, the devil, our own hard hearts, and the world’s pseudo-wisdom doesn’t
want you to hear, or be convinced, or believe on Jesus as your Savior. In
every age these arch-enemies place stumbling blocks in faith’s path to impede
the road to the Christ. As time is at a premium, I am only able to touch upon
a few of those impediments. The first of those stumbling blocks is ignorance.
Today, thank God, there are more Bibles being printed than ever before.
Unfortunately, many people seem to know little or nothing about the truths of
Scripture. Satan has placed the stumbling stone of ignorance in their path.
The devil knows that if people don’t read the Bible, they can’t understand the
Bible; if they can’t understand the Bible, they can’t believe its truths. If
they don’t believe in the Christ, they will remain doomed and damned.

A few years ago, a Bible test was given to some high school seniors. Most of
them failed the exam! Some thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife,
some believed the Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John.
Some said Eve was created from an apple, and the stories Jesus used to teach
were called parodies, not parables. More than 80 percent of the pupils could
not complete such familiar quotations of Scripture as “Many are called but few
are (chosen).” It is to combat such ignorance that this broadcast has shared
the Savior for over 80 years. It is why Lutheran Hour Ministries proclaims the
Savior around the world. It is why local congregations exist. According to
Christ’s command and in a desire to see as many of our friends, family, and
everyone standing next to us in heaven, we continue to educate and point
people to Christ crucified and risen. We know God’s wisdom is better than
man’s foolishness.

The second stumbling stone Satan places in the path of the unbeliever is the
obvious and ongoing sins of the Savior’s servants. People take a look at
Christians and believe that somehow, somewhere the message of salvation should
be making a difference in their lives. When they see us fail and fall, they
assume that a failure on the part of the Christ is the reason. Sexual scandals
on the part of clergy, divorce that rends the fabric of Christian homes,
congregations and denominations which are engaged in constant warfare,
believers who seem to be every bit as nasty, greedy, judgmental, and uncaring
as any unbeliever, all convince the doubter that faith in Jesus Christ is a
broken bell which cannot ring true. Little wonder that a recent poll of people
who were raised in the church but have since fallen away, list religious
hypocrisy as one of the major reasons for their decision. This stumbling block
of Satan is one which can neither be disregarded nor ignored. Instead, many
Christians must apologize and confess, “It is true, we remain sinners.
Forgiven sinners, but sinners nevertheless. Still, we beg you, do not judge
the Master’s perfection by our transgressions; do not disregard the Savior’s
love for you because we have shown some lovelessness. Do not think the Savior
has failed when it is we and we alone who are in error. Most importantly, do
not let the devil use our foolish errors to cloud your vision of Jesus’
perfect love and the sacrifice He has made to save you.”

The last stumbling stone of Satan that I will mention is the fact that too
many unbelievers have concluded that Christianity is old and no longer
pertinent to them and their lifestyles. In some respects it is perfectly
natural that they feel this way. They live in a world where new is good and
anything which is of yesterday has lost much of its value. We live in a world
where new is synonymous with first-rate and old is for the Antique’s Road
Show.

Now, nobody can deny that progress and newness can be a good thing. Although I
love horses, I wouldn’t want to turn back the clock and be compelled to ride
in a buggy to see my children. I far prefer the miracles of modern medicine
over asking the barber to come over and let out my ill humors with a bit of
bloodletting.

Having conceded those preferences, might I not add that many of the really
important things, the special things, the things which give the most
satisfaction are not the product of technology and they don’t grow worthless
with age. They have no built-in obsolescence and they never go out of style.
Do I hear you challenge, “And what kind of things might those be?” I’m talking
about the warmth and wonder I feel when I watch an elderly couple walk
together hand-in-hand. Their faces show they have seen the best and worst of
what life has to offer, but they have weathered it all and they have found and
are content with each other.

I’m speaking about the incredible pride a father and mother feel when their
child, who is challenged, manages to tie a shoe or button a shirt for the
first time. I’m speaking of the unadulterated joy I see in the face of a
grandmother as she watches her granddaughter come up the church aisle to be
married. Sure, grandma knows the challenges which are ahead… she knows the
odds which are stacked up against the new couple, but she is happy and content
to see her granddaughter so radiant. I’m talking about the eagerness of a
mother to listen to her child who has jumped off the bus and run to the house
just bursting with stories about new friends made, skills acquired, and
challenges for tomorrow. I’m speaking about those special times when a dear
friend has rightly discerned that when words are worthless and trite, just
sitting in silence with a mourning friend is the best thing to do. I’m
speaking of the broad smiles and tremendous satisfaction a family feels when
they see a son or daughter serve their country and return from a long tour
overseas.

These things, and so many others like them, are old things. But they are the
unchangeable, wonderful things of life. They are untouched by technology; they
are unchanged by the occupant of the White House. They are part of the fabric
of life, appreciated by all, enjoyed by a few, and longed for by many. And in
that category, whether people like it or not, is having a faith in a God Who
cares. More than that, I am speaking of having a powerful, unshakable,
undoubting knowledge that this caring God has nothing but the best of
intentions and the kindest of thoughts toward you.

That is the kind of faith many Christians have. Yes, I know you hear of all
the shocking scandals and sordid sins. Those are the things that make the
papers and are featured on the news. But there are so many, so many millions
of believers who, when they are confronted with great crosses, challenged by
seemingly endless adversities, they find assurance in the knowledge that Jesus
Christ, the sinless Son of God has not only redeemed them and granted them
forgiveness and eternal life, that this same risen Christ is by their side,
helping, assisting, listening, advising. These are the Christians whose faith
enables them to pray, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” They pray it; they
mean it; they are blessed by it.

Before such faith, the wisdom, the power, the best this wicked world can
advertise must step aside. Before such faith the dictators and despots of the
great nations must tremble and the most self-satisfied will feel insecure. In
the last century, following in the footsteps of the heathen Roman Emperors,
Adolph Hitler tried to set up a National Church. One of the articles of his
new Reichskirche read: “On the day of its foundation, the Christian cross must
be removed from all churches, cathedrals, and chapels…. It must be
superseded by the unconquerable symbol, the swastika.” In the last century,
under Communism, atheistic leaders managed to do what Hitler could not: they
banished the cross of Christ and took tens of thousands of beautiful churches
and converted them into nightclubs, restaurants, museums, country clubs, and
storage facilities for grain. Today, there is no Hitler, and in Russia,
Christianity is being taught in many state classrooms. So it will always be,
for, as St. Paul once wrote, ‘the wisdom of this world is folly with God.”
Which is why, this day I invite you to follow the Savior Who is God’s wise
Plan for your salvation, He is your only hope for heaven. To that end, if we
can assist you, please, call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for February 20, 2011
Topic: Forgiveness Before Repentance

Announcer: And, now, our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus, responds to
questions about forgiveness and repentance. I’m Mark Eischer.

Klaus: And what does our listener want to know?

Announcer: Two things. First, Jesus said we were supposed to forgive others a
lot of times. But did He ever say anything about whether we have to forgive
any and all sins committed against us?

Klaus: OK, and second?

Announcer: Secondly, would it be right to say we shouldn’t forgive someone if
they show no repentance for what they’ve done?”

Klaus: These aren’t as easy a set of questions as they might first appear.

Announcer: Well, what are the options? You could answer both questions “yes”;
both “no”, or one “yes” and one “no.” How complicated could that be?

Klaus: Well, let’s try and see what we can come up with. In the Lord’s Prayer,
we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. Now, let me ask you–what
exceptions did Jesus list in the Lord’s Prayer?

Announcer: Exceptions? You mean, what sins are we not supposed to forgive?

Klaus: Yeah. When it comes to the sins of others, which ones can we just leave
sit there?

Announcer: Hmm.

Klaus: Well, let’s make it easier. What sins does Jesus say we are allowed to
leave unforgiven?

Announcer: I would think the answer to that is: none. He doesn’t say, for
example, “Forgive those who trespass against us except for those who stole
from you or those who insulted your dog or whatever.”

Klaus: Yeah, in fact, I don’t see any exceptions in what Jesus told us to do.
We are to forgive as God forgives us. And, aside from the sin of persistent
and willful unbelief, there is no sin which God won’t forgive.

Announcer: OK. Well, then I have a question. Do we have any evidence of Jesus
doing that? Were there any times when He forgave someone without evidence that
that person had first repented?

Klaus: Yeah, I think so. For example, Jesus forgave those who crucified Him.
As I read through Scripture, I don’t see where those people all had a change
of heart and said, “Whoa, have we made a mistake here. Let’s get that innocent
Fellow down off the cross.” No, Jesus forgave them. Then there was the fellow
who was let down through the roof for healing. Jesus forgave that fellow, it
appears that’s not even the reason why he had been brought to Jesus. Then
there is the woman caught in adultery, although I have to concede facing a mob
ready to stone you might bring you to an unspoken, “I’m really, really sorry
for what I’ve done.”

Announcer: OK. Now, let me ask you this. Does forgiveness do that person any
good if they haven’t repented?

Klaus: Not much. Jesus died to take away the sins of the entire world. He died
to forgive everyone of all their wrongdoing. As Scripture says, “The blood of
Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7) Of course, if we don’t believe,
and receive that gift through faith, the forgiveness Jesus has won for us
doesn’t help us much.

Announcer: So, then, the next question might be, “If forgiveness is not going
to help that person much, why do it?”

Klaus: I think Shakespeare can answer that better than I can.

Announcer: Shakespeare?!

Klaus: Yeah, The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1.

Announcer: And you don’t usually quote Shakespeare here.

Klaus: I know… but I had to memorize this passage in high school and I’ve
been waiting a very long time to use it. First time it’s ever helped me out.

Announcer: Aside from, perhaps, making you a more literate person who
understands the power of well-chosen words.

Klaus: Well, maybe. The passage reads: “The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice
blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: ‘Tis mightiest in the
mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre
shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein
doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above his sceptred sway; It
is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And
earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice.”

Announcer: Oh, that’s very good. Certainly not the Word of God but good words
nonetheless.

Klaus: Yeah, in short, we forgive because it’s good for us not to have that
kind of bitterness souring in our hearts.

Announcer: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran
Hour Ministries.

Music selection for this program:

“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC

“One Thing’s Needful” arr. Henry Gerike. Used by permission.

“My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker” From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia
Publishing House)

“Variations on ‘Holy God, We Praise Your Name'” arr. Jeffrey Blersch. From
Resounding Alleluias by Jeffrey Blersch (© 2005 Jeffrey Blersch) Concordia
Publishing House