What Does it Mean to be Radical?

What does it mean to be Radical?

Often times we think that to be radical in our generation we have to be the ones who stand up on the lunch table at school and begin to proclaim the name of Jesus and who He is. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes God does ask us to do things like that, however more often than not he is asking us to be a different kind of radical. God simply wants us to live out what we believe.

What are ways you can live out what you believe?

What if instead of making fun of someone who is different than you at school or judging them, you accepted them? Think about Jesus, He did the opposite of the crowd. In 1 John 4 we see Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. Technically by the law and society He was not supposed to even interact with this woman. However, He didn’t care what anyone else thought of Him, He just knew He had something to say to her that would impact her life. How would your life at school be changed if you went against the “norm” and “popularity” to accept someone whom your friend’s outcast?

How many times do you find yourself laughing at jokes that you know in your heart are inappropriate? I know I sometimes still find myself doing it and I’ve been out of school for years. It is just natural to think things are funny. However, in Ephesians 5:4 we read “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” So, if we actually took that verse and applied it to our life how much more would we be set apart?

What if you walked away when people were making jokes or saying inappropriate things in the locker room? What if you didn’t participate in the gossip that all of the other girls were talking about? What if you took a stand for what is right? There are many ways that you can be “radical”, but the greatest way is just to be what you say you are and live how God asks you to live.
How can I survive?

You may ask, “Well how can I be that way in this society?”

Firstly, you must make your relationship with God more important than your reputation with your friends. Secondly, you have to read the Word of God and Pray. There is no way humanly possible to have the character of God without really knowing who He is. Lastly, everyday ask God to give you strength to overcome any temptation and that you would care more about what He thinks of you than what others think about you.

Reflection Questions
Is there anything in this devotion that stuck out to me in my life?
If so, what do I need to do to change it?
How will changing this area of my life affect others and my walk with Christ?
What steps am I going to take to get to where I need to be?