“And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside
thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but
speak forth the words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:24-25).

Luke records that there were two different perspectives concerning Paul’s words. What one called madness the other called truth and soberness. Is this not the way many things are in the world? The Bible states the facts as they are and the world sees things from a different perspective. Consider three topics found in the Bible that show a difference in perspective.

1. Message of the Gospel. Paul wrote, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
   stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23-24). Unbelievers do not see the message of the gospel in the same way that believers see it. The fact is that all are capable of seeing the truth in the message (cf. Eph. 3:4; John 8:32) but prejudice and the like cause the mind to be blinded from the facts (cf. Eph. 4:17-21; 2 Cor. 4:4). The heart of the gospel is found in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4). When people deny that they have sins to be forgiven and see life as a temporary time to enjoy all that one can in sinful ways, the message of the gospel does not have the same effect. When one realizes that sin is the root of all problems and that Christ is the answer for sin and the cemetery, then the message of the gospel takes on new light.
2. Mortality. Paul wrote, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
   miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:19-20). A purely materialistic view of life basically says, "let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). The resurrection of Christ asserts that this mortal life will be overcome by immortality (cf. 1 Cor. 45-57). This is how Paul could say “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Again, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). The resurrection of Christ guarantees a judgment day (cf. Acts 17:31) by which all shall receive the recompense of their deeds (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, the believer does not see this mortal life and the end of it the same way as the unbeliever does.
3. Money. One of the most glaring differences in perspectives between the godly and the ungodly concerns money. The Bible does not say in vain, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10). Timothy was exhorted to “flee these things” (1 Tim. 6:11). Some had the perspective “supposing that gain is godliness” (1 Tim. 6:5). The truth of the matter is found in the words “but godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Tim. 6:6-8). Worldly materialism is one of the great dangers (cf. Luke 8:14; James 4:4). Being a good and faithful servant is the proper perspective of life (cf. Matt. 25:21-40).

Jimmy Clark