COMMON SENSE CHRISTIANITY

 

Prov 19:11

 

The desire for instant gratification is the enemy of common sense. Many people have become ensnared in trouble and heartache because they rejected a wise path and sought instead immediate satisfaction. Charles Bridges said, “What is anger, but temporary madness” Anger is to act without deliberation under its impulse. Everyone of us is guilty of this, even if we tell ourselves its justified, even if we declare it, was righteous anger. It’s not hard to get angry, we live in a world full of disappointment, trouble, injustice, imperfections, evil, and it’s easy to become angry.

 

In one sense, anger is natural because

we’re created in God’s image.

 

We have a built-in capacity to be angry at everything that belittles the glory of God and questions the ways of our Creator. It is the anger we see in Jesus when he rebuked those who perverted the worship of God in His Temple. But we live in a world of angry people, who for the most part do not use common sense, good sense. Reason being: People are angry at each other, angry with their circumstances, angry at the government, and political views. Angry with… the price of groceries, weather, traffic, road conditions, spouses, children, the check out line, repair costs, lack of funds, and so on. Everybody who born into this world since Adam’s fall, has a broken moral compass with a natural bent to be angry, and to have a sinful disposition.

 

Due to our natural depravity, our passions

are all disordered, whether they are good or bad.

We’re bent-in on ourselves; which in turn affects our anger, and how we respond when were angry. Which usually means were not slow to anger, but speedy to anger. To be slow means we stop and think before we act or speak; to be speedy to anger means the mind is empty and it fills up with rage. See, the natural bent in society is to feed the flame, then to do the opposite which is drench the angry fire with water. Anger destroys. It destroys individuals, relationships, and even communities if discord increases unchecked. In contrast, patient people live at peace with themselves and others. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that patience is listed by the Apostle Paul as a trait marking one who is led by the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Gal. 5:22-23

 

The Bible talks about this! “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Gal 5:15. Conflicts only destroy the spirituality and happiness of each other; and sadly, this is destroying the home and the church family. Anger makes you careless as we read in Prov 14:16 says “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.” They don’t stop to think how their angry outburst will affect those around them. They "blow up" all over everyone, leaving them upset and perhaps fearful. Then they go off on their merry way, not paying any attention to the havoc they caused and the carnage they left behind. So, what does Solomon tell us to do? What demonstrates the true character of God towards one another?

What does it mean to have good sense? (v11) “Good sense” sound judgment, practical wisdom, and the ability to make reasonable, logical decisions. It involves evaluating potential consequences to act sensibly, often equating to "common sense". It is characterized by rational thinking, maturity, and the capacity to choose the best course of action. Restraint is the wisdom, "discretion" allows a person to pause and control their temper, rather than reacting instantly. How many times have you reacted instantly, and blown up over something that reveals your ugliness of heart, and not as a child of God.

 

Human anger, is a waste of energy.

 

It is motivated by selfishness, ambition, and creates division among brothers and sisters in Christ. Our revengeful thoughts are the torment of our hearts, and they deprive us of our common sense. Anger, is not using good sense, it will never produce the righteousness that God desires from His children. We read, “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” Prov 13:15-16. It emphasizes that wisdom, prudence, and understanding are essential for a good life, while acting foolishly leads to destruction. Paul warns us how quickly we can lose good sense when we surround ourselves with fools. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 

1 Cor 15:33

 

Someone with good sense is “slow to anger”

Another word meaning “slow to anger” is patient. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” Prov 14:29. This is important, why we should be slow to anger is one of the most valuable lessons we can learn in the Christian life. Being slow to anger reflects the very character of God. We live in a society where a rush to anger is commonplace, even acceptable. Minor irritations bring about an immediate response of anger. When we as Christians rush to anger, we are not being salt and light, we are simply reflecting the culture. God is calling us to surrender the impulse to rush to anger. He has given us the power to approach anger slowly and carefully, prayerfully, considering if we even need to be angry. God has given us the ability to have good sense through the gospel and the Sprit of God. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Tim 2:7. A person who looks through the lenses of Christ overlooks an offense, no matter how great or small it might be. Were the one who doesn’t hold grudges and are not to breath out anger. Yes, there are times when something happens that requires immediate attention, you can’t avoid, but it must end in resolution. How? In order to properly forgive someone, you must look through the lens of the cross.

True Forgiveness Renews Our Outlook.

 

What do I mean? God doesn’t say to you, “You are forgiven, but I will never look at you the same again, because of what you have done.” No, this renewed outlook says, “Your stained behaviour and decisions are refreshened and renewed like the offence never happened.”

 

True Forgiveness Is God’s Will For Our Lives.

 

Jesus is very clear about this, as he teaches the disciples how to pray. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:14-15. This is not up for debate, discussion, or to have a focus group to vote on it. Forgiveness is a reflection of God’s will in every situation, regardless of the offence.

True Forgiveness Has No Limitations.

 

A conversation that Peter had with Jesus reveals there is no limitations to one’s forgiveness. “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matt 18:21-22. Christ's meaning is, man should be all the days, and every day of his life, forgiving those that sin against him. As often as they repent and acknowledge their fault; and that no time is to be set for the exercise of the grace of forgiveness.

 

True Forgiveness Reflects God’s Glory.

 

This our text this morning! Prov 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” To forgive an offence committed; it is the duty and interest of a man to do so, and it is to his honour.

 

Forgiveness in the Bible is a “release” or a “dismissal” of something. The forgiveness we have in Christ involves the release of sinners from God’s just penalty, and the complete dismissal, of all charges against us. Forgiveness is an essential part of salvation. When Jesus forgives us, our sins, trespasses, iniquities, all of our transgressions are erased, wiped off the record. Forgiveness of sin is comparable to financial debt being erased. Despite what we have done, there is mercy and grace found in Christ alone; and this is evident with what is before us this morning.

 

This is what makes a child of God slow to anger

and easy to overlook an offence.

What we read in this verse is a person's wisdom and discretion make them slow to anger, and it is considered their glory or honor to overlook offenses. It is the glory of Christians to learn meekness and lowliness from Christ, It is the glory of pardoned sinners, to show forth the virtues of Him, who called you out of darkness. This highlights that true strength is found in self-control, patience, and choosing to forgive rather than seeking immediate retaliation.

 

Forgiveness is overlooking the offense. Is that easy? No, otherwise we would be living peaceably in our country and around the world. ” Overlook” an offence is the mature, proactive decision to not react to or dwell on a wrong, choosing instead to let it go to maintain peace and show love. Overlook, glories in forgiveness and overlooking a transgression (ignoring an insult or forgiving a wrong) is seen as a noble, honorable action, not a sign of weakness. This is a person that focus on grace, instead of dwelling on offenses, this verse encourages letting go of resentment, which is described as a "glory".

 

Tim Challies wrote, “…we realize that we are not required by God to confront a person every time he or she offends us. In fact, there are times when we should not confront a person. And honestly, if every person I have offended confronted me every time I sin against them in some way, I would be an awfully busy guy. There are times when the best course of action is to leave our offenses between the offender and God.”

 

To not overlook an offence is the foolishness of man’s proud heart. Solomon says to not overlook an offence is a demonstration of “weakness, not strength.” It is glory to pass over a transgression, because this displays the likeness of God. Overlooking a wrong, done to oneself, is a sign of maturity and grace. Forgiving others is worthy of respect. When we rush to anger, foolishness follows; and when we rush to anger, sinful action will likely be on display. Unfortunately, it is easy to rush to anger, and it’s so much more difficult to be slow to anger. If we live lives marked by a patient overlooking of offenses, we will look drastically different than the world and the light of the gospel will shine through us.

 

Understand! When offenses actually come, and we often find them too large to look over. Remind yourself that the actual size of the offense often matters little. God wants us to respond as He did, and would, in our situation. To overlook any offence, we must always remind ourselves of the offence that we were, before our redemption. God saved you from the pit of despair, and gave you knew life, not because you deserve it, but because He is all glorious to give it toward sinners. Paul knew he was nothing, unworthy of the gospel, apart from the saving of grace of Christ, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” Rom 7:24-25

It is God’s patience that delays Christ’s second coming

and the consummation of history.

It is His gracious compassion that holds back His wrath and keeps open the door for sinners to repent and enter into. The Lord’s incredible patience, and love for humankind, allow those who have not yet repented to have an opportunity to be saved.

 

God uses time and patience to serve

His purposes of grace.

Knowing this, we should be doing the same towards fallen sinners, we should be exemplifying this in our lives towards one another. This is our crowning glory on earth towards those who are created in His image.

 

This world is angry and the church

is falling right into its trap.

The church is becoming hostile in nature towards sinners; to which we conclude that they are not worthy of the good news. But as the atheist Penn Jillette said during one of his vlogs a few years back, “If you believe there is a heaven and hell, and you think it’s not worth telling someone about it, how much do you have to hate him to not proselytize? To believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell people?”

 

Someone who has good sense will be slower to anger, than the immature Christian. This person will overlook the offence because they see their forgiveness in Christ is far greater than the offence. They see that they are unworthy of this great redemption, and its only of grace; and they want others to know that God is gracious to save sinners. As David wrote from personal experience, “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:14

 

Patience and forgiveness will take the place

of resentment and hatred.

Why? Anger is misery. To exemplify Christ in forgiveness and to be able to love sinners is a powerful thing, and it’s what our culture needs to see from the church. Paul wrote, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Col 3:14-15. And since our God is slow to anger and abounding in grace toward us, ought we not emulate His character in how we treat others? Patience from a pure motive pass over the offence, because they are quick to hear and slow to anger. This is a noble example of transforming grace in one’s life; this is demonstrating free love towards someone else. Charles Bridges wrote, “This is most honorable to God, with the richest spoils to our own souls.” As Paul reminds the believer, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph 4:31-32