Common Sense...Isn't Actually, Common!
We were visiting Yosemite National Park a few years ago and witnessed a
mama grizzly bear with two cute cubs running through the woods next to our van. We pulled over to watch and take a picture when insanity struck!
Some Dude in a pick-up swerved in front of us, parked half-way in the right hand lane and half on the shoulder, and then ran out of the truck—leaving his door open—to chase the bears with his camera. I was so in shock, I didn’t know what to say at first. Still, when he chased the smaller cub up a tree and “mama bear” turned to face him with a menacing growl, I screamed, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? GET BACK IN YOUR TRUCK NOW!! SHE’S GOING TO EAT YOU!”
The guy looked at ME as if I was a moron, snapped another photo and then walked, slowly and carelessly, back to his vehicle.
Wow! Don't know what else to say...just...Wow! He lived...the bear didn't charge...still...WOW! How crazy!!
Every time I think about that day, I realize that common sense isn't...well...it just isn't common. And, watching social media, the evening news, and most of what passes as "good TV" these days; what IS common, isn't--SENSIBLE!
But this should be a total surprise to us...
The Bible says that "in the last days," there would be a loss of sensible behavior and thought. Self love would replace love of God and others, etc. Let's read a portion of this warning from 2 Timothy 3...
"3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
Now this sounds "common," but not sensible doesn't it?
So how should we respond? Let's read on a little further down in the chapter...
"10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
The key for believers is the Word of God--the Bible. Staying in it keeps our head and heart in the right place. It may not be common, but God's Word is the ultimate in "Sensible." And who knows...if enough of us read and lived it, common sense might become common once again!
To that end,
Pastor Joel
