If I say to a man, “You are a fool.”  I better have a seriously good reason.  For instance, perhaps the man acts and talks and thinks just like me.  Then I would have a good reason to refer to him as a fool.  As the saying goes, “It takes one to know one.”  

But even then mercy ought to have a foothold.  For even this fool desires mercy.  So if I address such a man with the intent to do him good, the label may find an appropriate use.

Let us go to the ultimate authority on fools.  God has said, “A fool says in his heart there is no God.”   Now if I refer to an atheist as a fool, I am not insulting him.  I am telling him the truth.  It would be reasonable to assume I care.

If he takes offense at that level of truth, what hope is there of teaching him anything greater?  His offense is a result of where he stands.  This is the portion of the gospel he needs to learn.

It is like this for a variety of men.  They have come a certain distance in their life and understanding.  And according to where they are the gospel is tailored to that limit.  Nothing can further be taught until they learn the present lesson.

If they take offence  at what teaching is necessary for them, what hope is there to teach them more?  If even a great saint determines he has gone as far as he desires to go, what hope is there to entice him farther?  It is necessary to leave him where he is found.

Two lessons can be learned here.  But since I don’t know the standing of he who reads this, I will leave the two lessons unspoken.  As you ponder these things you will likely get a grasp of where you stand.  And isn’t that the most important lesson.

By His Grace