The word “radical” can have different meanings to different people. Many associate this word with rebellious behavior. And to some it brings fear. This writing is an attempt to separate these words from one another.
It is not necessarily rebellious to be radical. Radical simply means to be different. The bible tells us to be separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17). This means to be different from the world. I would even go so far as to say, do not be afraid to be different from most people sitting in the church pews. You cannot measure your life against other people’s behavior and feel secure. The only true measure is with the word of God. And you need to find out what it says for yourself, and not lean on your pastor or any other human to interpret the scriptures for you. This is your eternal life we are talking about here. You cannot sub this job out like you can with your doctor or lawyer, or any other professional. This is the one task you had better do for yourself. In this world’s system, we are subbing out more and more of our responsibilities to professionals, until we even sub out the matter of our souls to our pastors, and spiritual leaders. I wouldn’t take on the responsibility for your soul, so I do not ask you to blindly believe me just because I say it. That is why I cannot condemn you for your beliefs when they differ from my own. In doing that I would be asking you to blindly follow me, and in turn put me in the huge responsibility of your eternal life. No man has that authority over another. And no man should give that authority over to another. When you are before the judgment seat, and you say, “Well my pastor told me…” won’t save you. Did you check it out, or did you sell out, out of complacency?
The word “radical” sometimes has the connotation of violent, and unpredictable behavior. I believe no character in the bible was more radical than Jesus. Almost everything he did upset the aristocracy. It was considered radical behavior for a rabbi (which Jesus was considered) to eat with the heathen, or to touch the unclean (the leapers). He hung out with the poor and the oppressed. He did not spend time in the temples, or with the priests. His throwing the moneychangers out of the temple was the last straw. I assure you Jesus was neither violent nor unpredictable against the righteous. Jesus rebuked Peter for cutting off the ear of a Roman guard when they came to take Jesus. And Jesus went peaceably to his death. Jesus said he only did and what he witnessed the father do (John 5:19). So Jesus was very much in submission to God the father; which is the opposite of rebellion.
One of the ways the enemy has convinced Christians to be afraid of radical is through the implementation of the different cults that have come and gone over time. People are afraid to get out of mainstream Christianity for fear of slipping into a cultist movement. Of course we should beware of false prophets and unbiblical teachings. To guard against this we should read our bible and get to know the will of the Lord. There is no safety in numbers. Just because you are a member of a church and believe like the pastor tells you to believe, or believe like a great number of others do means nothing. Jesus said the way is narrow, and few there be that will enter in (Matthew 7:14). This statement by Jesus would tell me the complete opposite of safety in numbers. Fear is in direct opposition to faith (2 Timothy 1:7).
I am not leading anyone to be as radical as you can whenever you can just for the sake of being radical. But have the courage and the faith to do what is right regardless of other’s opinions. There is only one person’s opinion that should really matter. He is the only one that has paid the price to judge (Rev 5). He is Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Revelation 5(speaking of the book of judgment) 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.