Am I a radical fanatic?

When the words ‘radical fanatic’ come up so does my level of caution! Immediately I think of those who blow themselves up with the hope of gaining Paradise as they kill the infidels or of those who moved to a jungle camp in Guyana with the insane preacher named Jim Jones. Why does complete commitment to God have to be confused with such insanity? Why do I not think of the amazing couple with three children who left the comfort of their American home to live out their lives among a remote tribe in Papua New Guinea to bring the Word of God, or the self-sacrifice of 5 young American missionaries on an Amazon River beach in 1956 while attempting to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ’s love to the Waorani, who were engaged in a destructive murderous civil war?

Christianity was never meant to be a life of moderation!

Our Savior and Lord calls us to total surrender of ourselves for and fanatical dedication to His Kingdom. How else can we read His words? "If you prefer father or mother over me, you don’t deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don’t deserve me. If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me." (Matthew 10:37-39, The Message)

John echoes that call. "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)

What or who owns your life, disciple? That question cannot be answered only with words. It must include all parts of our daily lives.

In what do we seek security?
To what do we give the majority of our focused energies?
What are we teaching our children about values?

Jesus, were He to stand among His American followers today, would likely ask, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?" (Luke 6:46, NLT) A Christianity that is reduced to a system of ethics, a religious creed, and a morality that merely keeps us from the grossest sins is not at all aligned with the discipleship taught by the Word. The safe, moderate life that most of us live is barren of the Spirit’s life and Presence because we sense little or no need of His daily presence. We, not God, are ‘in charge.’ We only invite His with passionate prayers when circumstances arise that we cannot manage; things like sickness, financial reverses, or relational breakdown. Then, when normality returns so does our sense of self-sufficiency.

So how can we become radical without going insane?  Two choices are of prime importance:

- Anchor your choices to the Scripture with careful study that includes no private interpretations and consideration of the long tradition of the Church.
- Remain in community, not going off to do your own thing without counsel and advice of those who are mature.

Jesus Christ offers the most radical Way and it is not based in esoteric visions, strange rituals, or weird self-expression. As you read His words, take time to meditate on them. Carry them with you as you ask, “Am I a radical fanatic?”

“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!" (Luke 6:26-31, The Message)
The way of love – it is radical!