Radical Faith
We live in a world full of things that are seen as radical. We have political ideologies that many see as radical. For a person who lives in a Democratic nation, the idea of Socialism or a Theocratic society is extreme and radical. In our own political system we have politicians who are seen as radical. There are various types of family structures that are seen as radical. There are a wide range of things in which we see things as radical. It is good to note that what is or is not radical depends on ones position. To a monogamist polygamy is radical; but to a polygamist it is merely their family structure.
Fundementalist Christians and Muslims are seen as radical by conservatives. Yet in all truth Fundementalist Christians are not much different from other forms of Christianity. The idea of radical faith is one that is declared by many but that is practiced by very few.
The term Christian means to be a follower, disciple, or mimicker of Jesus. So based upon that definition it is apparent that many who profess Christianity are in fact more Paulist than followers of Jesus. In all truth pure Christianity is a radical position.
Pure Christianity would entail a person trying to fulfill and live by the commands given by God and spoken by Jesus. Jesus told us that the measure of his love in us was directly tied to our obedience to what he had commanded. In fact he states on several occassions that if we do not obey his commands his love is not in us. Where main stream Chrisrtianity would see this as "works," the truth is that he (Jesus) told us to obey him. As that is the case it becomes apparent that mere belief is not enough. Some may see this as radical, but then it is suppose to be. What Jesus said to do is far more than a suggestion or a nice philosophical consideration. His words are the path to the kingdom. Jesus told us that no one could be in a relationship with the Father but by him. The basis of all church doctrine is described in Matthew 28 : 19 - 20. " Go and make disciples of all nations, baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teach them to obey all that I have commanded you." It is apparent Jesus wanted anyone who followed him to obey what he said. This should be obvious to anyone who professes to follow Christ; but if you look around you wonder what they think being a Christian means.
We have reached a point where people need to find the narrow path and live radical faith, not radical religion. The difference is that faith is a spiritual trait manifested into the physical and religion is a physiocal system trying to reach the spiritual. Radical faith can be seen throughout the early church. Countless people were so radical as to die for their faith. On the other hand we see people everyday that profess their church but think that dying for your faith or to forsake the world is just plain foolish. However (if you look at the words of Jesus) it is obvious that without radical faith you will fail to ever achieve any spiritual bond to God.
Radical faith is strength needed to defeat the enemy, it is the mainstay of a true believers souls, and it is the only way to open the real doors of God's love, provision, and other gifts. Just bcause a person professes to speak in tongues does not make it true anymore than wearing a nice suit is a sign of holiness. Because a woman has a beehive hair do and dresses conservatively does not mean she has radical faith. In fact her appearance is a sure sign of radical religion.
God's love is not reserved for the religious, it is assigned for those who have real faith. God's love is a never ending stream for all who will do what is required to avail themselves of it. In that we find that the path to the love of God is much like a first love relationship.
In fact radical faith isn't identified by appearence nor by religious action. When you look at the patriarchs listed in Hebrews one has to wonder what exactly made these men loved and favored by God? In their ranks we find men who were guilty of a range of issues from murder to disobedience to God. Yet these are the ones that are looked up to by many Christians. In the end it wasn't what they did that made them favored; it was just that God had chosen them to fulfill his purpose. No matter what their issues they loved God.
When you believe that your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, when you feel as though you can't go another step, remember that is the time that radical faith is most necessary.