Smart Phone Theology

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video screen shots, can tell me my geographical location and altitude, can scan documents, is a flashlight, is a voice recorder, and so much more. If you only use your phone to call and text hand it over to a teenager and let them loose. They’ll show you things your smart phone can do that will blow your mind. For most of us, we barely tap into the capabilities of this technology.

The same can be said of our smart televisions, our tablets, and even our automobiles. There is so much potential that is never realized. If this is true of our technology maybe it’s true of our spiritual lives as well.  I suspect it is.

I hear Christians say that there are some things they simply cannot do. “I’m an angry person,” someone might say to defend their outbursts of rage.  Or “I guess I’ll always struggle with lust,” someone might say resigning themselves to never overcoming that sin. Or “I’m too shy to talk to someone about my faith,” someone might say to excuse themselves of any attempt of evangelizing. Or “I could never teach a class or lead a small group,” someone might say to rationalize declining every request from a church leader.  And the list goes on.

And I know this to be true because I have done the same thing. We are all guilty of underestimating what the Spirit of God can do in our lives. We may not be gifted in every area but we limit ourselves so much by refusing to believe in the transforming power of the Gospel. Many Christians are like smart phone owners who only use their phones as phones. There is so much wasted potential.

I know there are Scriptures that can be abused and misunderstood, so read these verses and discuss them with other spiritual people, but hear these and start to imagine how much untapped potential there is in you as a Spirit-filled child of God:

• Philippians 4:13 (NIV) — I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
• Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV) — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) — And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) — No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

The Bible is full of reminders that with God on our side we can do so much more than we think we can do. The Bible also tells us so many stories of people who were unqualified and outmatched but did amazing things for the Lord.

There is so much potential in you, in all of us, that is never realized. For most of us, we barely tap into the power of God within us!