Ever feel like maybe you’re just a little “off”?  Lots of people do.  Even Christians.  Even mature believers.

But I’m here to tell you that you’re NOT crazy.

Why do I say that, and how can I so confidently?  Easy.  1 John 3:1

• “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.  FOR THIS REASON the world does not know us, BECAUSE IT DID NOT KNOW HIM [Jesus].”  (Beautifully echoing John 1:10, even using the exact same phrase at the end:  “He [Jesus] was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and [yet] the world DID NOT KNOW HIM.”

Anyone who has put his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation is the exact OPPOSITE of crazy, but the world is totally unaware of this reality and merely projects its own spiritual insanity onto believers.

• “But we speak God’s wisdom… the hidden wisdom… the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood… For to us God revealed [this wisdom] through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches ALL THINGS, even the depths of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him?  even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God [and as just stated, those to whom He reveals them].  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that WE might KNOW the things freely given to us by God… but a natural [unsaved, worldly] man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are FOOLISHNESS to him [them], and he [they] CANNOT UNDERSTAND them, because they are spiritually appraised.  But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man.  For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him?  BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST.” (1 Corinthians 2:7-16)

Brothers and sisters, beloved, the world is nuts, mad, insane, unknowing – but doesn’t KNOW it!  (This epitomizes a piece of military lingo made popular in the run-up to the Iraq War, an “unknown unknown.”)  They don’t know, but don’t know that they don’t know.  They’re sincere, but sincerely misguided in their (lack of) understanding.  So why would you ever think that YOU’RE the crazy one?  You’re not.  You’re not, but the Bible clearly teaches that they are.   Those of the world (1 John 4:5).  I mean, just imagine being given the choice to spend all eternity in heaven with God and the angels, or to spend it in hell with the devil and demons.  ANYONE who would choose the latter, who wouldn’t choose the former, is by definition way, way, way off-kilter.  If that isn’t the ultimate definition of insanity – clinical or otherwise – I don’t know what is or ever could be.

In stark contrast, a believer’s life is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith/faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  Because every believer is, at a minimum, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and therefore will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.  Would you say these qualities indicate sanity or insanity, wellness or unwellness, even on a human level?

But such is not so with unbelievers, with those who are of the world [i.e., world system].  Put another way, we’re all in the world but not of the world.  Some people are citizens of the world while others are just passing through. (Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11; Philippians 3:20)

And those of the world, a.k.a. unbelievers, are characterized by a very different list:  “immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-21).  And just before that, in verses 16-17, the Bible makes absolutely clear that nobody can be in both camps, it’s clearly a matter of either/or, no exceptions.  Flesh or Spirit.  This is also made clear in Romans 8:4-8 – “… who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death [unwellness], but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace [wellness], because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God… and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

This is actually a great way to tell whether a person is saved or unsaved, on their way to heaven or on their way to hell (Matthew 7:16-20).  And anyone who would choose the world and hell over heaven is, by definition, crazy.  And anyone who would choose the devil over Christ is absolutely nuts.  And anyone who would choose to be dominated by the flesh instead of the Spirit, well, THEY’RE the ones who are crazy, NOT you!

They just think you are because they don’t know any better.  “For THIS reason, the world does NOT KNOW us, because they did not know HIM [Jesus].” (1 John 3:1)

The next time you get the sense people think you’re crazy, do two things:  check to see (2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10) if your life is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23 (not the list in verses 19-21) and if so then KNOW that you’re not the crazy one and pray for and sympathize with and love on the other person(s).  They desperately need it.

Yes, if you’re a genuine believer, you will not be understood or “known” by the world, they’ll often look at you like you’re from a different planet.  (Because you are!  Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11)  And keep in mind that along with the fruit of the Spirit, your life will also be characterized by persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) so just expect that from the world but I’m here to assure you that such can’t even BEGIN to compare with the indescribable glory and magnificence waiting for us in heaven (Romans 8:18).  Not for a second.  Not even close.  Not even in the same universe much less planet much less ball park.

“For this reason, THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW US, BECAUSE they DID NOT KNOW HIM.” (1 John 3:1)

Badge of honor. 🙂
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