Radical

In the last week, I have been reading the book Radical Together by David Platt. This is a sequel to the book of a similar title he penned a year or so ago entitled Radical: Taking back your faith from the American Dream. Let me say that both these books have made me squirm—a lot!

Both books seek to apply simple, biblical truths to 21^st century Christianity asking the question, individually and corporately, whether our pursuits in life and in the church actually line up with what the scriptures teach clearly and unequivocally.

It is sad, however, that we have become so removed from obedience to the simple and clear teaching of scripture that we call many of the things Jesus said “radical” when in reality, the things he said should automatically be our natural (supernatural) way of life.

For example, think with me just a moment about Luke 9:23-26. It reads, “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

This passage clearly teaches that the “normal” response and way of life for a disciple of Jesus is to deny oneself, take up a cross (which means death to oneself), and follow (emulate, imitate) Jesus. This is not a requirement for those who are “really serious” about being Christian; this is for everyone.

I mean, is this really radical teaching by Jesus? I believe that it only seems radical to us today, especially those in church, because we have become so infatuated with ourselves and our dreams and comfort and our security and our version of Christianity that we have relegated these instructions from Jesus for those who are “radicals” or “missionaries”. Yet, the reality of Jesus’ teaching here is that these instructions are the requirements for and evidence of being a true Christian.

Maybe the reason this seems so radical to so many in our churches today is that many are not true Christians, but only playing a game hoping they have their “get out of hell free card.”