There was a premier of the province of Ontario who was elected with the slogan, "The Common-sense Revolution". I suspect you know who. Whether you agreed with his politics are not, that slogan resonated with a lot of people. In a world out of control, we just need some common sense, right?
I'll bet you've used (or thought) that phrase without even realizing it. I think of it often when I hear about the school system today and some of the challenges faced by students, teachers and parents. "What happened to common sense?" I think. The problem is, of course, whose "sense" are we talking about. I have found myself in arguments with people when I realized we had different definitions of what the common sense solution would be to this or that situation. Sense didn't seem to be "common" between us.
Webster's defines common sense as "the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions". Think before you say or do something. Look at all the options and choices, weighing the pros and cons, and then make a decision. Good advice, certainly. But there's a problem when it comes to applying this to our faith in Jesus too strictly.
Faith is sometimes unreasonable.
Faith sometimes doesn't make sense at all, let-a-lone common sense. Oh, don't get me wrong, we don't throw our minds out as Christians. Reading, studying, critical thought...those things are welcome and encouraged. God's Word is powerful, and rich. "..who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV). But ultimately, faith is what makes the real difference. "And without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6a, NIV).
Faith sometimes doesn't make sense.
Why would God ask that person to leave their well paying job to serve others? Faith.
Why would that church step out and build that new building? Isn't the status quo safer? Faith.
Why does that person seem at peace...didn't they just hear what the doctor said? Faith.
How can I trust a God who says crazy things like he'll forgive everything I've ever done and give me a full life both today and tomorrow? It doesn't quite make sense. Common sense would say I deserve what's coming to me...but God says I'll get what I don't deserve.
It sure doesn't make sense, but I'll take faith please.
-Jason
I'll bet you've used (or thought) that phrase without even realizing it. I think of it often when I hear about the school system today and some of the challenges faced by students, teachers and parents. "What happened to common sense?" I think. The problem is, of course, whose "sense" are we talking about. I have found myself in arguments with people when I realized we had different definitions of what the common sense solution would be to this or that situation. Sense didn't seem to be "common" between us.
Webster's defines common sense as "the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions". Think before you say or do something. Look at all the options and choices, weighing the pros and cons, and then make a decision. Good advice, certainly. But there's a problem when it comes to applying this to our faith in Jesus too strictly.
Faith is sometimes unreasonable.
Faith sometimes doesn't make sense at all, let-a-lone common sense. Oh, don't get me wrong, we don't throw our minds out as Christians. Reading, studying, critical thought...those things are welcome and encouraged. God's Word is powerful, and rich. "..who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV). But ultimately, faith is what makes the real difference. "And without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6a, NIV).
Faith sometimes doesn't make sense.
Why would God ask that person to leave their well paying job to serve others? Faith.
Why would that church step out and build that new building? Isn't the status quo safer? Faith.
Why does that person seem at peace...didn't they just hear what the doctor said? Faith.
How can I trust a God who says crazy things like he'll forgive everything I've ever done and give me a full life both today and tomorrow? It doesn't quite make sense. Common sense would say I deserve what's coming to me...but God says I'll get what I don't deserve.
It sure doesn't make sense, but I'll take faith please.
-Jason
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