Is it possible that a group of people in the world who reportedly are doing nothing but living out their beliefs have hijacked the term “radical”? There is no denying that Islam is getting the attention for being radical. Radical is defined as “action that relates to fundamental nature.” Anything that is purist could be termed radical.

It is a shame that our culture wants to normalize everything where nothing sticks out. We want everybody to feel good about themselves so we dumb everything down to the point that, when somebody does something fundamental to their nature, they are termed radical and roundly rejected.

There is another group of people in the world who do not go unnoticed, but they are termed victims rather than radicals. These are professing Christians who are so radical that they do not deny their fundamental nature in the face of death, who are being tortured and killed in every corner of the world.

The Bible does not call these people victim nor radical; they are called victors. Why does it seem strange when somebody who fervently believes in Jesus Christ and eternal life will lay down their life when they are challenged to recant? These people are the real radicals.

This is nothing new. The vitality and spread of Christianity has always been fueled by the blood of martyrs. It is noteworthy that in the places where martyrdom is most prevalent, the Christian faith is most vibrant.

Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 5, verse 10, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

We serve a radical God. Somebody said of Jesus, “The inescapable fact is that He came from a violent God, into a violent world, to save violent men, from a terribly violent hell.” Jesus was the most radical person to ever walk the earth.

Maybe it is time for His followers to be “radical.”

 

Dan Puckett works with road team operations at Life Action Ministries in Buchanan, Michigan.