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  We live in a world devoid of common sense. You cannot live in this world without it, but so many throw it by the wayside when it is inconvenient. So what is common sense? According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary common sense is, “Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” In the 17th and 18th centuries there were philosophers who engaged in severe skepticism. They lived in a world of common sense but questioned the obvious. This led Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid to formulate a school of philosophy known as, Scottish Common Sense. In this philosophy he and other proponents stressed that the foundation of understanding the world comes through common sense. That is, every human has the natural ability to understand common ideas as they observe the world around them. Another thinker of this time also used the term, common sense, but this time in relation to politics. In 1775 Thomas Paine wrote a document titled, Common Sense Pamphlet. In it he wrote to the thirteen colonies listing the reasons why it made sense to declare independence from Great Britain. Furthermore, in our day-to-day experience you hear people talk about common sense all the time. When someone does not understand the obvious what you frequently hear is what you here another say in return is, “It is common sense!” 

Common sense is friends with the truth since it is essentially understanding the world the way it really is. In 2021 America we have to emphasize common sense because there is a widespread fight against it in the most powerful places in our country. We live in a world that denies obvious realities. It is controversial to say that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16). But there is a beating heart three weeks into the pregnancy, so how is it possible not to have a human life? To deny this reality is to defy common sense. Then you have the transgender issue. How is it that one with an XY chromosome can suddenly become a female? It is obvious that one with an XY chromosome will always be male and nothing can change that (Genesis 1:27). To say that one gender can become another is to defy common sense. Then you have the issue of marriage. If everyone married the same gender the human race would be doomed. God made it that only a male and female can have a child (Genesis 1:27-28). To say otherwise is to defy common sense. Then you have the issue of the Covid-19 vaccine. God has made our bodies to fight the virus through natural immunity (Genesis 1:26, 31). To insist that those with natural immunity must get the vaccine equally as much as someone who has never had the virus is silly. It is common sense to say that God’s vaccine (natural immunity) is superior to man’s. But natural immunity is not even a consideration with the federal government. There must be something else motivating them besides science? Once again we see common sense thrown out the window. 

Now why is common sense important as Christians? It is important because the Bible is a book of common sense. The Bible tells us how the world really is. We live in a world where we can tell there is a God and the Bible says this (Genesis 1:1). To say otherwise is a complete neglect of common sense (Romans 1:18-23). We live in a world that is broken. The Bible tells us why this is. A curse came on this earth when Adam and Even sinned (Genesis 3:17-18). The reason there is so much suffering is because of this curse. Adam and Eve’s sin is also the reason that humans are corrupt and by nature are rebellious to God (Romans 5:12). Everyone can see that there is a problem with this world but only the Bible offers the solution. The most well known verse in the Bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Everyone must admit that this world is broken and it starts in our own hearts. We all need a Savior and Jesus is that Savior (John 14:6). To think that man is good is to defy common sense. To think that this world will keep going as it is defies common sense. This world is fast approaching its end. Christ will return soon (Revelation 22:12). But everyone must understand that the Bible tells reality. The question is will one submit to its teaching? We live in a world full of lies (1 John 5:19), which is why common sense is lacking. Common sense is a friend to truth, and as people of the truth it is our friend also. 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Seth