Radical Revisited

As many of you know, every Wednesday night I lead a discipleship class called "Radical" at Heartland Church.  I say "lead" rather than "teach," because most nights I get far more out of the class than I am able to put into it.

Anyway, last January we decided to go through the Beatitudes.  And, when we had finished the Beatitudes, we decided to work our way through the entire Sermon on the Mount.  It is nearly August, and last week we started Matthew Chapter 6.

As we have traveled this journey together through the great sermon, I have been reminded again and again how Radical the Bible is, how Radical the faith is that God calls us to, and how Radical the life that is truly lived for Jesus.

I don't think there is anything we have studied so far that was all that difficult to comprehend.  However, virtually all of it is difficult to live.  In fact, I would say that most of us don't really have even the desire to live the Radical life that Jesus calls us to, much less the will to press toward that goal.  And that is understandable.

To really pursue Jesus with all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our soul and all of our strength is a difficult thing.  The Christian life is hard.  I suppose that is why Jesus wisely warns us to count the cost of following Him.  See Luke 14:27-28.

While I would love to see all Christians take the idea of being a disciple more seriously, I have also found myself over the last six months having more grace for those who don't -- or those who can't.  We are all in different places on the journey.  Some believers -- even those who have been saved for a very long time -- need healing before they can ever really even think about being a disciple.  Others are too new to the faith to really press toward the goal.  Still others perhaps just need to wait until the Holy Spirit convicts them -- that moment of realization that Christianity has less to do with what God can do for you, and more to do with how God can use you.

I will tell you honestly that I have really been struggling with this idea lately (notwithstanding my "pastor" title).   And, maybe that is why I am finding more grace for others.  The question, though, is not whether I am doing enough, but rather I am doing what God has called me to do.  It is not a matter of legalism, nor a matter of "works" (we are saved by grace).  Rather, time and time again it comes down to a matter of the heart.  Am I allowing my heart to pursue Him with everything I have, and to submit to His will?

If you have never joined us on a Wednesday night, I hope you will consider doing so.  Its a journey that God never intended us to make alone.