Radical

Jesus devoted his life to teaching and demonstrating God’s fundamentals. Everything he taught was radical: fundamental and out of the norm.

What do you picture when you see the word “radical?” Just this week, news headlines broadcasted: “radical Islam,” “Trump’s radical agenda,” and “radical opposition groups.” The word “radical” typically conjures an image of an off-the-rails extremist pushing a turbulent religious, political or research agenda.

Growing up, radical or “rad” was my surfer slang for “awesome” or “cool!” But more correctly, radical originates from the Latin word radix, which means “root.” The garden vegetable radish also comes from this same Latin word—its name implies a root plant.

The word radical was first used literally to describe roots or something proceeding from a root, such as tree roots or a stem from a plant root. Later, radical was also used figuratively. Roots are the deepest part of a plant, so radical came to describe things understood as fundamental, essential, or the origin of. Radical also progressed to refer to a person or idea viewed as extreme or way out of the norm. In other words, their root or fundamental ideas are so “out of the box” that we regard them as radical.

Thus, a radical idea or person seeks to teach a fundamental or root truth, often vastly different from the usual or traditional.

Radical Principles

I believe God’s word is full of “radical.” Firstly, God teaches us how to be radical. His principles, concepts, laws, and lifestyle are the roots, fundamentals, and origins of how He wants humans to behave and think. When we digest them, we understand they are not the norm, and when we follow them, we may be viewed as extreme.

For example, Paul teaches Timothy that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” (1 Timothy 6:10-12 ESV). Note that Paul even uses the Greek word rhiza, which means the same as radical—a root. He warns that if the love of money is a root or fundamental part of our lives, then it will pierce us through with “many sorrows” and cause us to “err” in the “good fight of faith.” Instead, he counsels us to “Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

Paul’s principle is entirely radical. It stems from God’s earlier root commands to Israel: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” (Exodus 20:3) and “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, soul, and… might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5). God requires the love of Him to be the fundamental, root, or origin of our heart’s desires—not money! Looking around, is this principle the norm in modern society? The world has created its own fundamental principle focused on money and, predictably, has caused many sorrows.

Where do our lives fit in with this radical principle? How many hours each week do we actively pursue money, especially outside what we need to live? How does this contrast with the hours we actively pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness? These latter investments lie at the root of Jesus’s exhortation to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20 ESV) and are the roots of true happiness and a close relationship with our Father.

Radical Examples

The Bible also shares incredible examples of men and women who lived radical lives. They sought out, understood, and visibly applied God’s root principles and laws through “the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Hebrews 11 is decorated with examples. I am always impressed by Abraham, who “obeyed to go out into …an inheritance…and he went out, not troubling his mind as to where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8). Abraham did not fret or fear where God was leading him. Instead, he responded with 1) radical obedience to God’s command and 2) radical faith in God’s promises—two fundamental, root behaviors that God wants all of us to develop and cherish.

Abraham’s actions should reassure us. If we feel lost or do not know where our lives are headed, we learn that we can reach out, take God’s hand, trust He has a plan for us, and have faith that He will guide our life to his desired destination. We may experience doubts, confusion, and severe discomfort on the journey, but if we are obedient and exercise faith, our minds will be far less troubled, as Abraham’s.

Caleb is another example of radical faith and obedience. Along with Joshua, he was the only Israelite allowed to cross into the promised land “because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully.” (Numbers 14:23-24 ESV). Despite the giant problems the spies confronted in Canaan, Caleb whole-heartedly rooted his obedience and faith in God and encouraged others to fight this same “good fight of faith.” (Numbers 13:30-33). Sadly, his radical spirit was a stark contrast to the rest of Israel, who were rooted in doubt and disobedience. Some even wanted to stone Caleb (Numbers 14:10, CP Heb 11:37), but in the end, God’s fundamentals came with a great reward—entry into the inheritance.

Caleb’s spirit is inspiring. Do we feel scared, overcome, or intimidated by the giants we face in our lives? Is there something that we think could eat us up, or is stronger or of greater stature than our God? God’s radical teachings can help us face and overcome these. But being radical and following God’s root principles often sets us out on our own or into uncomfortable circumstances that we must face with faith.

God has called all of us to enter his inheritance. This invitation requires us to think and act radically, like Abraham and Caleb. How different would our lives or the world be if we all practiced God’s radical principles and cherished them with our “whole heart, soul, and mind”?

The Radical Jesus

The most impressive example of radical in the Bible is Jesus. He grew up in a world rooted in self-centeredness and self-worship. The Roman Empire’s society was steeped in expansion, war, violence, immorality, and abuse of the vulnerable. The Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes competed as religious fellowships. They were permeated with corruption, conceit, power and excluding people. Documents such as the Talmud were based on God’s message but applied corruptly.

Jesus questioned these roots and challenged the status quo. John Baptist, his forerunner, warned the religious and political systems, “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.” (Luke 3:9 ESV). In other words, Jesus and John’s teachings would remove and replace the root of these systems—they needed to be “cut down and thrown into the fire.” Their message sought to turn the people back to principles based on God’s roots so that the nation and people could “bear good fruit.”

This parable should cause us to stop and reflect on the root, tree, and fruit we are cultivating personally, as an ecclesia, and as a community. What is our root? Is it God’s root—His Word? Or is it more like the crooked political and religious practices Jesus condemned in his day?

Jesus devoted his life to teaching and demonstrating God’s fundamentals. Everything he taught was radical. It was fundamental and out of the norm. Here are five of my favorite radical principles:

1) Radical Greatness

Jesus’ disciples were prone to argue about who was the greatest. To answer their question, Jesus places a little child in their midst and instructs, “Unless you turn [are reversed], and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever humbles himself like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4 ESV). Jesus taught radical greatness. Be big by being little. Let God elevate us by lowering ourselves. This position is wholly opposed to the roots of our society, where greatness is achieved by stepping on people, pride, leading by power, lying, self-praise, and pedestalizing self. Instead, being great is about lowering oneself, being humble, exalting others, serving, and giving our lives to others. What type of greatness do we seek?

2) Radical Non-Violence

At Jesus’ arrest by the weapon-adorned Roman guards and religious leaders, one of the disciples drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus challenged this use of weapons and violence to confront his attackers and rebuked, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:51-52 ESV). His condemnation of violence agrees with Isaiah’s prophecy that Jesus “had done no violence.” (Isaiah 53:9). Instead, Jesus encouraged his followers to respond to violence with peace, love, a turn of the cheek, and especially prayer (Matthew 26:41). This instruction contrasts with the roots of the world around us. Violence is the solution to everything. War, weapons, violent assaults, and communications are the norm. Violence pervades entertainment (e.g., movies, video games), social media, and even sporting events. Do we behave non-violently and refuse to revel in the violence the world celebrates?

3) Radical Giving

Jesus has much to say about our possessions and what we do with them. For example: “Those of you who do not give up everything you have, cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33 NIV), and “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.” (Luke 12:33 ESV). Jesus even instructs a keen disciple to “Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Mark 10:21). This is a radical form of giving. It is a willingness to give up everything and be extremely generous to others. It is a realization that all our possessions are God’s, and God expects us to liberally redistribute his possessions to others—especially at a cost to ourselves. Our world teaches a doctrine that starkly contrasts with this type of giving. Current thinking is that we should heap up things for ourselves and only give if we have extra. Our society coerces us to gather earthly treasures rather than eternal ones in heaven. Instead, Jesus teaches a fundamental principle, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:21 ESV). In other words, what we do with our possessions signals to God where our hearts and worship are. What does our giving style indicate where the heart of our lives is?

4) Radical Love

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a series of radical principles, including a command to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 ESV). This stunning principle takes us back to God’s commands that Israel “shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Leviticus 19:17-18). Sadly, the Jews took this to mean they only had to love fellow Jews. However, Jesus clarified what God meant by this radical love. Not only were they to love those who were easy to love, but also those they struggled to love, such as their enemy and those who hated or mistreated them. This proposition is one of the most difficult fundamentals God asks us to live, and it is completely unlike the behavior of society. Love and hate divide our world. Religion, politics, race, and status create divisions, petty grudges, and long-term grievances. These behaviors corrode neighborly love as God desires. Jesus’ radical love is a revolutionary way to resolve differences, and it helps us appreciate that God cares for and loves both the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). What type of love are we practicing?

5) Radical Sacrifice

When Jesus sent out his twelve disciples to share God’s radical message, he warned their mission would be costly. They may even lose their lives: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39). This is radical sacrifice. Jesus wants us to abandon our lives for him and those around us. And ironically, if we give up our lives to Jesus and God, we gain everything! The world scoffs at this root principle. It teaches us to live for today and for ourselves. We are encouraged to serve ourselves, serve our interests first, and make “I” the most critical part of life. If not careful, our lives can become focused on the short-term rather than the long-term and temporal things rather than the eternal ones. Instead, Jesus encourages us to live for God— to carry the same cross he did—a life of selflessness that meant pain, turmoil, mocking and being “unfriended.” Are we giving up our lives and everything today so we can inherit forever?

These are a handful of Jesus’ many radical teachings. Although some may consider them wild and crazy, they are instead root behaviors that God expects us to practice because they are part of his majestic character. They are simple actions but should also make us squirm in our seats and challenge us deeply.

Upside Down

After Jesus ascended, his disciples set about upending the world with his radical teachings. In Thessalonica, a violent mob dragged Paul and Silas before the city authorities with the following accusation: “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” (Acts 17:6 ESV). Christ’s radical message and example had created a riot!

God wants us to be exactly like these disciples—men and women, young and old, with a zest for his message and a drive to share his life-saving principles with the world by word and example—even at a cost to our comfort, safety, and popularity. We aim to share the salt of God’s word, the radical power of his teachings, and the benefits, joys, and blessings for today and the Kingdom age. Have Jesus’ teachings and God’s fundamentals turned our world upside down? Have they profoundly changed the direction of our lives and the example and message we share with the world around us?

Self-Denial

The heart of all Jesus’ teachings and examples is transforming our lives from serving ourselves to denying ourselves. Paul pinpoints this when he draws our minds to Jesus and instructs us to “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” (Romans 12:1). This was a radical concept to the Jews—they were still sacrificing dead animals under the Law. However, Jesus’ life and teachings were not about these lifeless rituals. Instead, he demonstrated their root meaning: God wants us to sacrifice our entire self to God and His children “by a new and living way.” (Hebrews 10:20). In other words, self-denial, self-sacrifice and self-lessness—all of which are radical, fundamental lifestyles.

Bro. Dennis Gillett makes clear the practical application of Paul’s exhortation:

These verses in Romans ought not to surprise us. The truth is that discipleship, given full expression, should change [our] lives radically and redirect our energy and aspirations. The central thing is the denial of self. It is utterly radical.1

How are we doing at living Jesus’ life of radical self-denial? Are we giving up everything we want for everything that God wants?

Follow Me!

God’s Word contains a radical call. Nineteen times, Christ instructs us in the gospels to “Follow Me.” This instruction is a call to love Jesus and God more than anything else this world has to offer, including money. It is a call to obey God, come out of the world around us, and faithfully seize our inheritance. It is a call to develop a different spirit and wholly follow God.

It is a call to live out radical greatness: non-violence, generosity, love, and sacrifice. It is a call to turn our lives and the world around us upside down. At the very root of “Follow Me” is a life of radical self-denial. God has called us to be radical. How are we doing at radically following him?

Nathan Badger,
Cambridge Ecclesia, ON