Common Sense

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . .”[1] The concept of human equality is an ideal example of idealism, even though the authors of the United States Declaration of Independence labeled it a self-evident truth. I suppose that would make them truly idealistic to the realist, since the realist really knows that some men are more equal than others realistically. Truth that is self-evident, after all, is relatively relative to the self who is considering the truth to be evident. Evidently then, realism is relative to the reality of the realist, thus philosophically categorizing the realist as a relativist. In psychology, this philosophical construct is defined as psychosis: “ (a) fundamental derangement of the mind (as in schizophrenia) characterized by defective or lost contact with reality especially as evidenced by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech and behavior.”[2]

Reality is defined by objective truth, not perceptions or emotions that are relative to an individual or group of individuals. Common belief is still commonly relative. Common belief, however, is commonly known as common sense. Common sense is an oxymoron. An idea that becomes common does not necessarily make sense. Sense is a philosophical word synonymous with reason. Reason is objective. Therefore, common sense can be nonsense if it does not agree with what is objectively true. God is the sole author of truth and his truth exists apart from man’s ability to perceive it, understand it or apply it. God’s objective truth is and always has been counter-cultural because it is contrary to what is truly common to man: “. . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”[3]

It is not just an ideal that all men are created equal. Since the fall of Adam, every person born inherited the common trait of sinfulness. We are all guilty and deserve death. That means you and I are just as culpable as the serial rapist, the savage murderer and the child molester. The self-image the light of this truth reveals is too despicably demoralizing for many to face, driving generations of lost souls further into the darkness of their own self-delusion and slavery to sin. However, knowing and accepting this truth is the first lesson on the road to freedom. Consider the truth Jesus revealed to the Jews:

John 8:31-36 ESV 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

The psychotic psychologists of today stipulate the source of freedom from despair comes from within by discovering your true worth, learning to think very highly of yourself. This nonsensical rhetoric is even being heralded from the prominent pulpits of particularly proud preachers. Your common sense is even telling you your true hopeless identity can’t be true. Nevertheless, failing to take this first step into the light by accepting your identity as a sinner worthy of destruction is to remain in darkness, disillusionment and despair.

It is only by accepting your need for a savior you can be saved. Confess your identity and Jesus will replace the horrible with the holy.

Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Being remade in the image of Christ requires confessing, believing and applying these truths every day. Using these truths as a foundation, we are given capacity to see and apply other truths in the construction of our new identities through Scripture, worship, prayer, and the accountability of other believers. Therefore, let us all work together in fellowship to build each other up according to God’s objective truth that is common to all of us. As believers in Christ, it is only common sense.

[1] United States Declaration of Independence
[2] Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary
[3] Romans 3:23 ESV.