At least twice, the Bible reveals what goes on in the hearts and minds of many people, where they end up being called “fools”.

The first is the case of the outspoken atheist. “Fools say to themselves, ‘There is no God.’ They are all corrupt, and they have done terrible things; there is no one who does what is right.” (Psalm 53:1)

An atheist is one who believes and says that “there is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Sometimes they only say it to themselves in their hearts, other times they say aloud for all to hear that “there is no God”.

The Psalmist calls such people “fools” (Psalm 14:1-7). Often, faith in God acts like a moral defence and restrain. It is our faith in God that keeps us from doing evil to others.

Needless to say, many who insist that God does not exist, also do not restrain themselves from being corrupt and doing terrible things. Those who lead good moral lives while denying God are actually in the minority. For most people, godlessness and wickedness go together.

Opposite of the fool who denies God’s existence is the one who believes God, seeks God and pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith in God should give us our moral direction in life. (Micah 6:8)

Different skins, same substance

At this juncture, I would like to make a distinction between those who are outright “formal” atheists and those who are merely “existential” atheists.

A formal atheist openly declares disbelief in God without hiding it from those around him. An existential atheist is one who formally and openly declares his faith in God but lives life as though God is not there and watching.

Many people who go to church can confess the words of the Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty.”

Yet, life for the rest of the day or week does not factor in the reality of God at all. Common observation can confirm for us, that it is possible to profess faith and yet live a life where God seems to be absent and consequently, insignificant to us.

This is the “existential atheist” and dare I say this: That our churches may be full of such people?

May God have mercy upon us. Surely the words of the Psalmist will also apply to those of us who are existential atheists: “Fools say to themselves, ‘There is no God’. They are corrupt!” (Psalm 53:1)

Upside down values

The second example of a foolish person is described for us by the Lord Jesus ((Luke 12:18-20).

He is a great financial success in life.

In fact, his financial empire expands. People consider him “lucky”, “wise” and “prudent” because he has set aside enough for future retirement and ease. Such clever handling of financial assets.

The Lord Jesus tells of how he even congratulates himself with these words: “This is what I will do, I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store my corn and all my other goods. Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!” (Luke 12:18-19, GNB)

The man was wise with worldly success but because he gave no thought for eternity, the life of the world to come, the Kingdom of God, he was called a “fool” by God Himself.

Surely, this does not refer only to the unsaved. Many people who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Friend and Saviour, have not seriously considered the priorities of the Kingdom of God in their daily lives.

We need to remember: “Only one life and it will soon be past, only what was done for Christ will last.”

How sad if we end up having a “saved soul but a wasted life”.

I believe that the new generation of Christians in Singapore should avoid being called “foolish” by God.

This can happen especially because we have not escaped the traps of existential atheism and the obsession to gain worldly success at all costs, in spite of the call of God to us, to salvation, holiness and service.

This article was first published in Remember Jesus: 50 Days of Reading and Reflection by Scripture Union Singapore. Republished with permission.