"Uncommon sense"

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife,deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."

Romans 1: 28-32 (NAS)

As the primary elections draw near, I hear many candidates say, we need a common sense approach to try to resolve the many problems taking place, in the world today. Wars, and rumors of wars, global pandemic on the rise again, worldwide economic problems, gas prices at all time highs, food shortages, political and social unrest, to name a few of the physical issues going on around us. In light of these current events, do we ever ponder the question, as to why these things are happening? Or, do we just attribute it to life and humanity, running it's cycle again? The last question, in the spiritual sense, is a part of the answer to the question why.

As the Apostle Paul opens his letter to the believers at Rome, he encourages them and explains, the basis of his calling, The Gospel Of Christ. He states that " for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to everyone who believes...", and we have right standing with God, by our Faith, in the Gift of Grace, given at The Cross. He goes on to explain, that even in their day, just years after the crucifixion of Jesus, apostasy (abandonment of faith) had begun. he goes on to describe apostates, and the results of abandoning Faith. This same sin, started in the Garden, and is still active today.

The promoter of this rebellion, Satan, uses (past, present, and future) events and circumstances, to deceive people, and undermine faith in God. His main sin, was the sin of pride. The Prophet Isaiah stated, that Lucifer said in his heart, "I will ascend to heaven...I will be like the Most High"(Isa. 14:12-14). Pride always has it's focus on self, and getting what "I" want, or am entitled to. Satan wasn't content, with being the most beautiful, and gifted of God's created beings, his pride caused his fall. We, as Christians, must remember that we have already been given the greatest Gift of Eternal Life, by faith, and Grace. That being said, doesn't mean that the Lord doesn't provide for our needs, and bless some of our wants, according to His Will. Yet some, may feel that they should have more, and experience their "best life now". And when events and circumstances in the world, affect life in ways that don't give desired results, apostasy can happen.

In today's passages, we see the affect of apostasy in individual lives, society and the world. We see in these verses, a list of characteristics of a depraved mind, a reprobate mind, a mind that no longer acknowledges God. Professing themselves to be wise, when in all actuality they become fools, left up to their own plans and vain way of thinking. This was 2000 years ago, but it sounds so familiar. Pride, that age old sin, at it again.

If we weigh the issues of society today, we can see that they are fruit of these apostate traits. Abortion rights, inflation as a result of greed, racism, political slandering, among many things descriptive of minds in a depraved society. "Trendy" buzzword phrases seem to drive social media, and influence society. Common sense, by the world's standard would say, "go along to get along". Tolerance idealism, that would have us compromise the Word of God, and the founding values of our society, to allow lasciviousness to dictate our country's policies.

In today's scripture, the verses immediately preceding, address the issue of immorality of every type, heterosexually, lesbianism, homosexuality, and gender identification. Stating how the depraved mind, changes the Truth of God into a lie, worships the creature more than the Creator, and in doing so, having changed the natural use of their bodies, into unnatural. How is going along with that behavior, common sense? We as the Church of the Living God should know, that we have the answer to the troubles that stem from all these sins listed, the Blood of Jesus. The Gospel of Jesus is all powerful, and brings hope in these seemingly hopeless times. In these times , I believe the Holy Spirit is calling us, to be ready, willing, and able, to give an account of the hope that is in us. And in doing so standing up against against the evil, that is attacking the soul of our country.

We , the Church, need to pray more now, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. My hope is to encourage everyone in this, because our prayers avail much. To the world's thinking, our Faith is foolishness and doesn't make sense. By their standards, what we have is, "uncommon sense".