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Crazy and Mad

 

St. Anthony the Great is attributed as saying ““A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying: ‘You are mad; you are not like us.’” It is obvious that the truth is offensive to those who abhor its existence and noise to the ears who don’t want to hear it in their presence.

This is nothing new. It shouldn’t be surprising. Since the dawn of humanity, those who choose evil and darkness have made it there passion to silence truth. History tells of many stories of people who wish to rid the world of those who sought to do good …name combinations such as Lincoln/Booth, Kennedy/Oswald, and King/Ray.

Besides the obvious crucifixion of Jesus, resistance to the truth was no different for those written about in the Bible. Stephen who was the first martyr of the Church who was stoned for refusing to deny his faith (Acts 7:54-60). John the Baptist was beheaded for his message (Matthew 14:1-12). James was killed with a sword (Acts 12:1-2) and Antipas was roasted to death within a brass chamber (Revelation 12:1-2). Darkness does not like the light nor does evil accept the existence of good.

There is a discourse found in Scripture where someone who spoke the truth was accused of being completely mad. His name was Paul. The event plays out in Acts 22 through Acts 26. Paul articulates his resume, citizenship and testimony. He also stands in defense of his work, teachings, and innocence. Paul addressed many audiences such as the Sanhedrin, Governor Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.

Paul displayed such inspiring courage and strength despite being assaulted, accused, and treated like a criminal. In fact, the uprising hatred towards Paul became so heated and violent, we are told in Acts 23:10, “The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.”

Paul stayed true to his testimony. He did not deny his faith nor water down the account of how God called him on the road to Damascus. Yet, despite the truth he revealed it was rejected. Those trying him thought his experiences and training were too much for him to the point of making him crazy. Acts 26:24, “At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” Many others hated what Paul was saying and wished him dead. Acts 22:22, “The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

We will always be challenged for the truth contained in Scripture. 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” Now is not the time to quit. Now is the time to passionately endure.

Just like Paul, there will be times that we will be not only confronted for our faith, but accosted, challenged, and perhaps, assaulted or slandered. We could be fired, bullied, ostracized by friends and family, jailed and even killed. I say that not to scare you, but to simply state a given reality most faced in the Bible and now face today in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, North Korea….and yes, even in the United States.

Honestly, we should not be the least bit surprised as to the world’s condition and why it deems people of faith as crazy and going mad. We hold steady regardless. We know from the many “before and after” stories in Scripture, that God will never abandon us nor forsake us. We can have full assurance that if we keep the faith, stand in ranks with one another, endure and live like Jesus, that everything will work out as God intended.

Just remember 1 Peter 4:12-14, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.”

 

 

 

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