Theology Matters. Practical application for everyday life.

I have mentioned this before but I will say it again: Theology matters. What you believe matters because it will determine how you live. When our life does not match what we say we believe (Let me tell you a little secret (I am whispering) , a good portion of our lives don't) we show we don't really believe what we say we do or at least it has not sunk in all the way yet. I am thinking about this because of something I heard today. I was in Walmart today (Check out one of those "Walmart People" videos and you might see me) and I overheard two people arguing one isle over. Apparently  a gentleman had left his cart in the middle of the isle and a lady proceeded to move it to the side. It was not that big of a deal but it seemed the way she did it prompted the argument. The man was apologetic but that didn't seem to satisfy the lady. I guess leaving your cart in the middle of the isle is a Mortal Sin. He got a little heated and a little louder. She then starts repeating loudly "I don't receive it, in Jesus name, I don't receive it." At that point I started to cringe. You know what I am talking about right?  Those times when you hears someone (Maybe a professional athlete) quoting Scripture, and you just know it is going to be so far out of context it is not even in the same Universe (No I don't believe in a multiverse. Just a little hyperbole to make the point.) But I digress. What in the world does "I don't receive it, in Jesus name" mean. I did a quick bible search and didn't find anything. I am being facetious here of course. It seems that this woman thought that reciting this phrase was going to do something. She seemed to think that her words had some kind of power. 
That Jesus' name was some kind of magic word. It didn't seem to work too well for her because they both proceeded to tell each other to go "Blank" themselves.

     Why do I mention this? Because this woman has been taught silly theology at her church. And because it is silly, it causes her to act silly and say silly things. Now I don't mean to act like I have it all together. I might have skipped the "Jesus name" stuff and went right to cursing. Or maybe I would have remembered that Jesus died for me. That Jesus had suffered wrong too. That a little delay from a basket in my way was ordained by God for His good pleasure. That God placed that cart in my way so that I would talk with this person. That "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1) That Jesus, when he was reviled "he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges." (1 Peter 2:23) That Jesus had, not just a stranger in his way but one of His best friends: Peter. So much so that He said to him "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Ouch! Peter wanted to protect Jesus from dying, a seemingly noble thing, yet Jesus thought it the work of the devil.

     "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good." Why can't I get that to sink into my head. It does not say "The good things" or "The things that you like." It rather says "All things." If I could truly grasp this I might not have been frustrated today in traffic or when I am interrupted by my children when writing this blog. The answer is not to try to use Jesus' name as some kind of magical word but rather to meditate upon the person and work of the person whose name this is. To show the love of Christ towards those we come in contact with. Realize that we are not here for our happiness but for God's glory and to be used by him to further His kingdom. So yes, that person you just flipped off in your heart was put there for a reason. We are on a mission from God. What an amazing truth. We, wretched pukes like us, are ambassadors for the God of the universe. May we remember our mission. Oh Lord may we bring You glory and may we be used by You to bring the Gospel to those we come into contact with. May we be a light that shines is a dark world. Manifest in us the fruit of the Spirit, that we might bring You glory and be used by You to bring them into the kingdom. May the amazing truth of the Gospel stagger us and take our breath away.