This is post #14 of a 16-session blog series entitled The Christ Collection: Putting on the Likeness of Jesus. Each and every day, you and I, as Christ followers, can pull out a few of these beauties and slip into something comfortable. Hand-crafted masterpieces made for this world, so when we wear them, we can go out on Christ’s behalf, shining brightly like the Son. Here’s the homepage for the entire series.

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Today’s Lectio Divina: Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Colossians 3: 15-16 (MsgB)

Direct one another using good common sense.

This is Pastor Eugene Peterson’s attempt at bringing the New Testament Greek words used by Paul into our English language.

A literal word-for-word translation of the Greek used here in Colossians 3: 16 might be…

Teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom.

The Greek word being addressed is sophia. It’s used at least 25 times throughout the New Testament and, as I see it, Peterson’s phrase good common sense just might be the most descriptive way in explaining what Paul had in mind when he was writing to his friends in Colossae.

Why?

Because when most westernized Christians search for a definition for the word wisdom, we often use other words like knowledge or a learned-awareness that comes from being well-educated or well-read. But in truth, the wisdom that’s described in the Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testament, actually refers more to a certain level of street-smarts, an awareness of truth that comes more from age and experience vs. reading about such things in books.

Now please. Don’t misunderstand me here. I’m not suggesting that this issue of defining wisdom become an either/or issue. I fully believe that a good education benefits us all, but as the Great American humorist of the 19^th century, Mark Twain, is often quoted…

 I’ve found that common sense ain’t so common!

King Solomon, living in the times just following the rule of King David, is best known for his capacity for true wisdom, or good common sense. Yes, he was a well-educated man, but in all truth, he became known more for his down-home street-smarts than anything else. His book we call Proverbs still stands today as one of the best sources for well-rounded truth to live your life by. Take, for example, this good common sense found in Proverbs 3:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3: 5-10 (NIV)

For centuries, educators around the world have used Solomon’s writings as a source book for earthly wisdom. Our own American history also includes famous writers/speakers such as Benjamin Franklin, creator of Poor Richard’s Almanack, Will Rogers, and of course, Mark Twain, all who picked up on Solomon’s idea of using short, pithy sayings to convey good common sense.

So, allow me to ask you.

Which source seems more valuable to you?

Listening and following the wisdom of a person who has been well-educated, or adapting your life to the truth found in one who speaks and acts out of a real life experience, utilizing good common sense to make it through life?

For me, if push comes to shove, I’d rather surround myself with those reliable women and men who have talked the talk and walked the walk instead of putting my trust in those who have just read about truth in a book.

How ‘bout you?

So, allow me today to leave you with some good common sense left by one simple God-fearing man from Hannibal, Missouri named Samuel Clemens (a.k.a Mark Twain)…

I’ve seen many troubles in my time, only half of which ever came true.

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

Good judgement is the result of experience and experience the result of bad judgement.

The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of good common sense. And while I want to be the best-educated, most knowledgeable person I can be, allow me, as well, to learn from my life experiences, taking the good/bad/and ugly, and with the wisdom of God leading the way, become a person of good common sense, as well. For Your glory and for Your name’s sake. Amen.

A Few Thoughts to Ponder: Have I allowed my life experiences to grow me in wisdom and truth? Am I open to the wisdom of good common sense that flows from many well-experienced people around me? What might it look like for me to grow in earthly knowledge but also put on the wisdom found within good common sense?

So, what are you experiencing as we ponder upon Colossian’s Christ Collection?

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We hope you’ll enjoy these 16 blogs that focus on the amazing garments and accessories God has hand-crafted for us so that as we wear them, we can better reflect the nature and likeness of Jesus of Nazareth. Here’s the homepage for the entire series.

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