Radical Living
Recently, I was listening to a podcast discussion about how to raise children who love the Lord and serve Him. The host, a pastor’s wife, was interviewing her adult children, who are both in ministry today. It was a fantastic interview and a real encouragement to me as a parent.
But what struck me as just a little bit off was something that one of the children said. I won’t get it exactly right, but it was something like: “I don’t believe God is so concerned with our personal holiness as He is with our practical service.”
Based on the context of the conversation, I think he was trying to say, “Stop judging others who aren’t like you in conviction or practice. Just love people.” But that statement raised a lot of questions in my heart.
The next morning at church, my husband was preaching from the Sermon on the Mount. And I read these verses:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
Isn’t it just like God to hear the questions of our hearts and then direct us to His Word?
Relationships with others can’t be right until our relationship with God is right. They are not separate. Our ministry to others is an outward evidence of our inward fellowship with God, into Whose family we are born when we believe on Him. And as family, we ought to naturally mimic the example He has set for us. The life of Jesus shows me that personal holiness and practical service go hand-in-hand.
Under intense scrutiny and betrayal, Jesus radically loved those who hated Him, blessed those who railed at Him, served those who despised Him, and prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross. He’s our perfect example.
So as I study and learn God’s Word, the Holy Spirit changes me on the inside - my thoughts, beliefs, desires, and convictions - and that change will be outwardly demonstrated to those around me. James puts it this way:
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:18, 20)
It’s true; this is not always an easy task. According to the rest of Matthew 5, some of the things a radical follower of Christ will choose are:
Reconciliation with others, even when it’s hard to achieve or I have been the one wronged (vv. 23-25).
Personal harm above offense to God (vv. 29-30).
Keeping my word, even though it causes personal loss (vv. 33-37).
Turning the other cheek (vv. 38-39).
Going the extra mile (vv. 40-42).
Loving my friends AND my enemies (vv. 43-47).
If ever a passage were counter-cultural, truly radical, this must surely be it! A quick scroll through social media will display all types of take-downs and insults on anyone that doesn’t agree with the in-vogue political, social, or even personal mantra. But I wonder how these attacks align with God’s perspective?
He is the Creator of ALL. It’s impossible to find a person whom God didn’t create, whom God doesn’t love, and whom God doesn’t want to redeem. Who will tell the lost about God’s great redemptive plan for their lives?
It ought to be me, and it ought to be you.
But if we are more concerned with our own ideals and happiness, how can we love the lost as Christ did? Jesus left heaven to suffer and die on earth to save - from eternal damnation, the horrors of hell, and the absence of God’s presence - lost humanity. Neither you, nor I, nor any other human has experienced all that He endured, nor will we ever.
And while our deaths would not bring salvation to anyone, they might just bring someone to the God of salvation.
Most likely, your physical death is not required, but your death to self is.
And there’s the intersection of holy thinking and practical living, friends. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.
Personal holiness + practical service = saved souls, edified believers, and our God glorified.
May all believers live in a way that honors God AND demonstrates love to our neighbors. A way that is holy AND practical. A way that mimics Jesus.
May the Church be filled with radical Christians.