Recently I was reading the book Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke (great read if you haven’t!) in the book he says “The Jesus of the Bible is a radical man with a radical message, changing peoples’ lives in a radical way. In the scriptures Jesus isn’t safe.” Jesus was fearless. He ate with the outcasts, the tax collectors despite the criticism of the Pharisees. He spoke boldly with a Samaritan woman and offered her living water. He willingly sacrificed his life for people who betrayed him. Daily. Jesus spent every day giving it everything he had and reaching everyone he could. As followers of Christ we are his hands and feet and we are called to follow in his footsteps.
God has called us to radical lives.
A radical life is a life of self-denial.
Making the choice to take up our cross and follow him.
Every single day, in every single situation.
When you are living a radical life, you are far from the center of it. It is full of sacrifice, forgiveness, grace, mercy and joy. A radical life is not easy and doing radical things is not easy but they are so worth it. In the book of Acts, chapter 5, Luke writes about a time of difficult suffering but his chapter ends with “The apostles left rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering for the Name.” The apostles didn’t stop because the going got tough, they leaned on Jesus and went on to the next radical mission. That is radical.
God has more than equipped us for these radical lives. We have God given gifts and we have to use them! Maybe your gift is servanthood or speaking and you are called to be on the frontlines reaching lost souls. Maybe your gift is prayer and you are the ultimate prayer warrior taking everyone’s needs to the Lord. Maybe your gift is great finances and you are able to support those deep in the battle. No matter what your gifts are if you are using them for the will of God, you are living radically.
The best part of a radical life is that it is filled with radical love. Love for us from God and love we get to share with others. Radical love is unconditional, deep and fearless. Radical love knows no boundaries or borders. Radical love is for everyone.
I strive to live radically. Taking this leap of faith in the World Race is my next step to living more radically.
