Last week I was having a conversation with one of my best friends at Starbucks about what it looks like to obey Jesus. I mean really asking each other, “What does it look like to follow the teachings of Jesus and make disciples?” I mean do we need to just move overseas and live in remote villages to do that? Do we need to go plant a church somewhere? Do we need to work at a church? How do we live radically for Jesus where we’re at right now in life? I mean I want to make smart decisions about this but it seems like I can either be radical or wise about my faith.
Since that conversation, I’ve been trying to think through it, ask myself questions, pray, and listen to God. Finally, this idea hit me — The Wisdom in a Radical Lifestyle–
First off, what does that mean? Well, I went to the dictionary to find the definitions of wisdom and radical.
Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement. Some synonyms include common sense, prudence, smartness, and competence.
Radical is (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough. Synonyms include exhaustive, extensive, rigorous, and extreme.
Maybe when you think about wisdom the first thing that comes to mind isn’t radical. Maybe when you think about wisdom it looks like having a good plan. Maybe you have a great job, a wealthy family, you tithe your 10%, you save money for retirement and for unexpected events. You play it safe. You get involved with things and people but not too involved because that would require too much time and effort. Don’t get me wrong. Those are great things that wisdom can lead us to and the Lord blesses us with things like that for us to enjoy and use for his glory.
What about radical? Maybe when you think about a radical lifestyle you think about the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11 where he talks about his sufferings for the Gospel. Or maybe you think about someone selling everything they own and moving to a third world country across the world to live and do mission work. Maybe you think planting a church. Or adopting. Again, don’t get me wrong. Those are radical things that the Lord can lead us to do.
But it almost seems like you can have one or the other. In a culture where everything seems to revolve around the individual we get messages like protect yourself, promote yourself, set yourself up for success no matter what, save for yourself, and spend for yourself. Culture tells us that being radical is a bad thing. That there’s negative connotation with it. Because of that, we find it hard to give up things and commit to things that won’t yield any reward for us. It’s like we all have the same struggle. We’re afraid to trust God enough to obey him in the midst of our wilderness (whatever that wilderness maybe).
When we look in God’s word we find very contrasting messages:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35
What if the wisest thing you could ever do is live radically for Jesus and the Gospel? What if the smartest decision you ever make is pouring yourself out for others for the sake of the Gospel?
Our example, Jesus, did exactly that. He didn’t hold back. He didn’t reserve himself for himself. He didn’t save himself from the cross by backing out of it. He freely came to die. And because he came to die we can live.. for Him.
But wait.. so what does being radical for Christ look like? It looks like obedience. It’s hearing God’s voice and stepping forward. Maybe it’s giving God more of your money. Or relationships. Or resources. It’s definitely giving God more of your heart, your time, and your habits. It’s letting God have access to every part of your heart and letting the Holy Spirit guide you. So at the center of being a radical follower of Jesus is simply obedience to God. And maybe being radical for you does look like moving overseas to do missions. But maybe it looks like staying where you’re at and giving God more of your money, or time, or heart. Maybe it’s giving God more of your resources and investing those things where you’re at right now.
Whatever being radical looks like for you may be different from someone else. But it all consists of being obedient to God’s voice in whatever season of life you’re in and whatever position he’s put you in. Ask God how you can be radical for him where you’re at right now in life. Dig in his word and listen to his voice and he’ll answer in time. God’s all about calling us into a deeper relationship with him. So maybe, the wisest thing you can ever do is live radically for God. So make the wise decision.
As you pray about how you can live radically for God, consider supporting me in the World Race financially or through prayer! I’m definitely going to need both in this year. If you’d like to hear more about my trip or donating you can reach me by email at [email protected]
In Christ,
Matt Herrington
