Radical Disciples – A Remnant Revolution

There is an awesome revolutionary shift going on in today’s church. It seems there is a wave of God’s people who are being shaped and molded to be something radically different than that of the typical known church. These radical followers of Jesus are no longer settling with large buildings, extravagant stage performances, theological arguments, fancy ministry shows, lofty programs and plush chairs. They are not interested in staying comfortable but looking for a change that will promote the heart and message of Jesus. They are a people seeking something greater than themselves. These people have been refined and are still being refined to better understand the things that matter most to God.

Now, when I stop and read I have just wrote above, I feel like it might somehow express my feelings that there is a “select” group of God’s people. An “elect” group. This is not at all what I am suggesting! I know God has plans for all of His people and His plans are for good (Jeremiah 29:11). I am only making a point that there seems to be many that are speaking, acting and responding more boldly to the call of Jesus. It could be you – I just think it’s a neat thing that there are people out there that will attempt to follow Jesus at all cost.

After studying the bible, actively participating in serving others, growing in love for others and then reading several chapters in David Platt’s book, “Radical”, I am even more curious what God is up to. In my mind, He is developing His Radical Church, which I define as those who are wholeheartedly after Jesus’s heart. Having a heart like Jesus requires one to receive and accept His love, “Let Him Love You!” It is hard for many to receive the real, unconditional, no-strings-attached king of love. Upon receiving this love for Jesus to overflowing, it allows a person the ability to go out into the world and spill love onto other people. I don’t believe anyone that has not felt and accepted this kind of love can truly love the way Jesus loved back.

We need to be honest here in the fact that a truly radical “Christian” (meaning, “follower of Jesus”) would be one who would be willing to lay down his/her life for someone else’s in order that they would be saved. It may be one that would sell all of their possessions to the poor then travel to the remote places in the world to share the message of Christ through exemplifying love and kindness to those in need. The radical Christian might be one that would leave his/her family to proclaim the gospel. It’s a person that is completely sold out to Jesus.

Sound impossible? Sound scary? Sound radical? To some more than likely. Sadly via a watered down, super sensational hyped up gospel message others came to the alter driven out out selfishness not wanting to go to hell. Yet praise God thru the gospel message delivered in truth we find that others came to the alter out of a deep admittance that they whole heartedly need God. I must admit that I was part of the first group for years. Lived any ole way I pleased believing I had a get out hell free card.

Praise God for faithful servants who deliver the true message of freedom. For today I have come to that place of surrender, abandoned in in His Love and with some others, here lately, I don’t see any other way of living. It’s more scary to me if I don’t follow Jesus. I seem to always mess things up! There is an urgency in my soul that doesn’t rest that beckons me to reach people for the sake of the kingdom. I know it’s not about me. God doesn’t need me. But, He wants me. He wants me to have the blessing of being a part of His work. So how far do I go?

I need to stop for a moment before I go on any further, I must admit that I am not without fault. I am a “sinner” -(meaning I have done many wrong, careless and hurtful things). My life has in no way exemplified the word perfect. I have failed God on many occasions. I have disappointed my family and I have disappointed my friends. In my thirties, however, God got hold of me. Without going in to all the details, He changed me. I made a decision to do something different that I had been doing since nothing that I was doing was working – at all. I took baby steps at first. With each step closer to Jesus, I only wanted more of Him. I was hungry for more and more. And today, I still hunger and thirst for more of Jesus. I am trying to be today what one might call a ”radical” follower of Jesus.

It is by the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ through faith I was saved. It was because He chose me, not because of something that I did. I cannot offer good works and work myself into a saving place with Jesus. ”For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Radical Christian: believer’s who are serious about following Jesus. It is a group of common people, who come from a wide variety of back grounds, many have nothing in common except their love for Jesus, a group of believers who are more concerned about accomplishing the things that matter most to God and not feasting on their own selfish desires. It’s not radical in a sense of weird, but radical in the sense of putting forth one’s ALL in order to express the love of Christ to save the lost and to glorify God. I love radically because He first loved me.

I challenge you today to begin living a radical life of love for your family, friends and neighbors. I can almost guarantee you that as you take this step forward, all hell is about to break loose in your life, but be of good cheer for you are not alone. You will see Jesus come into your life in such a powerful way, His Love will weight you down under its glorious power. You will face many trials, yet rejoice for the Master is walking with you – showing you the steps that He too took to pour out His love and show the world the Fathers love.

When you make this step you will find a refreshing breath of grace flowing into your life like you’ve never experienced before, and a peace that words can not describe. Jesus said we must weight the cost – I have friends and there is nothing that even begins to compare to a life radically sold out to Jesus, of being radically in love with my Lord – Holy Spirit has been drawing me into a deeper understanding of a life of radical servant-hood that I might be crushed and pressed until all that is left in my life is the radical image of the Son of God!

For indeed we serve a radically awesome God!