My new blog buddy Brett Trapp wrote this post on 28 things he’s learned in his 20’s. Since I am so much older and wiser than Brett (3 whopping months) and since I loved it so much, I thought I’d take each of those things and elaborate on them over the next several days.

12. Theology is important. Very important. Theological arguments over non-essential issues are stupid. -Trappstr

This is why we use a list that we call “The Essentials” at Revolution Church. Theology is extremely important. But, there are issues, such as the second coming of Christ, that just aren’t laid out clearly enough in the Bible to make it worth arguing over (that ought to get some people going).

I like to focus on the essentials that unite us rather than divide us. At Revolution, we don’t fight people who claim to be Christians but then turn around and talk bad about other churches.

[If you ever catch me talking bad about another church or even another christian for that matter, smack me.]

Bottom line: we’re called to preach the Gospel. If we preach the Gospel and lives are being changed, then WE. CANNOT. BE. STOPPED!!!

13. Most Christians don’t really understand grace or its implications. -Trappstr

Most of us feel like God says, “Get up! What are you doing, you dummy?” every time we mess up. Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.”

What does that mean? Let’s say I take a card and write every single thing I’ve ever done wrong on it. I know, I know…it would never all fit on one card. Imagine writing really small, like those guys at the mall that will put your name on a piece of rice.

What if I write down all my sins, all my faults, all my mistakes, all the shameful acts, thoughts and temptations – and then I put the card in a book and close it. Can you still see the card?

NOPE! You can only see the book. That’s the way God sees us when Jesus is in our lives. He no longer sees our sin. He just sees Jesus.

When I come to Christ and say, “God, here’s my life. Here is all the failures. I want to put my life in Jesus Christ.” Jesus wraps me with His love, and God looks at Jesus and sees that Jesus is perfect. He doesn’t see my sin.

14. I think playing high school sports is the peak of pure fun. -Trappstr

Wait till you have a son and get to be the bull while he’s the cowboy. Beats high school sports ANY DAY.