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Defining a Radical Faith

By May 12, 2011March 26th, 2012Church, Church Planting, Faith, Leadership

I see a growing interest in encouragement to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Gospel. I love that kind of passion. We see so many examples of it in Scripture and many are listed in the chronicles of faith in Hebrews Chapter 11. There have been a few times in my life where I’ve sensed a specific call to do something so drastic, so seemingly bizarre, so faith-stretching, that even thinking about those decisions today seems scary.

I wonder, however, if that expectation is unrealistic when applied to all of us at all times. Is it okay, should God allow it, to live a “normal” faith at times…to not feel like everything is on the line…but rather feel like you’re in a safe place…depending on a regular paycheck, in a steady job, with a healthy church…for example?  Would that be considered okay and still be considered radical in your faith?

Just asking…

Recently I was reading John 7:1, which says, “Jesus didn’t go where He knew there was immediate danger. There would be a time for this, but this was not the time.”

Of course, you should read it in the context….not just that context, but the entire context of Jesus’ story. There’s no mistaking, however, that at this particular moment…Jesus played it safe. He didn’t jeopardize His life for the mission…in fact He did the opposite. There would be a time when He would sacrifice everything…willingly…for the sake of the call, but this was a time to be wise rather than risky.

Here’s a bottom line where I’ve landed. I see lots of well-meaning people encouraging a radical, sold-out faith…and I’m totally for that. I think all of us should live that way, but my point is that will look different for all of us.

Living by faith may not require you to:

  • Sacrifice your family for the ministry…
  • Forgo earning an income to follow a call…
  • Risk your life to share the Gospel…
  • Surrender to full-time vocational ministry…
  • Sell everything and move to Africa…
  • Quit your current church…
  • Plant a church…
  • Ignore your safety to complete a mission…

There may be times God calls you to take tremendous risks of faith. He may ask you to sacrifice everything some day…or certainly be willing to…He may send you into dangerous moments…even be a martyr for your faith…

If that’s God call on your life…my best advice is to obey quickly!

But walking in faith doesn’t always require such extremes. The key is that you are willing to follow wherever He leads.

What do you think? Reflect on what I’ve written and give me your feedback. Help me think through this thought process.

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 24 Comments

  • Pam says:

    Laurinda truly hit home with me, as I reflected on this post — reading comments along the way. Radical begins in the heart, followed by head, and being ACTIVE not passive as we walk in faith. Sometimes, extreme is simply living out loud.

  • The given list of radical faith is absolutely fabulous. I never discount or disagree with the goodness or the merit of these actions.

    But, I think sticking to God's will in our life is of paramount importance (whatever we do in our life). God gives unique gifts and talents to each and every individual. One needs to be careful enough to use them to glorify God. When God wants us to step us out of faith and do something, we need to immediately act. Obeying is important. On the other hand, we should not do something to satisfy our curiosity or excitement or plan without His willingness.

    In the book of Joshua, Caleb utters' " I brought him back a report according to my convictions…… I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly." (Chapter 14:7-9).
    Here, Caleb does two things that led to his success:
    1. Followed Lord whole heartedly and
    2. Did the assigned work with convictions (while others failed)

    The solution to our discussion could be —
    Always be connected to God and do whatever you do to the best of your ability without any compromise and fear. God will surely reward us.

  • revtrev says:

    I've often spelled faith r-i-s-k. But lately I've been challenge with Romans 14:23 "Everything that does not come from faith is sin".

    What if that can be applied beyond whether or not we eat meat sacrificed to idols? It means everything from prayer to play has the potential to be sin. It also means "faith" can't always be radical. We need it day to day. Need to show it every way.

    What if we define faith as "that which pleases God"? Because with know without faith it's impossible to please Him. Then faith is tied directly to obedience.

    Great post pastor Ron. It brought great discussion in our house.

  • Laurinda says:

    I love this post Pastor Ron! I agree with you. Radical faith also means being the best on your job… excellence without excuse. Radical obedience could be apologizing to someone who you KNOW wronged you. Radical faith is being faithful mundane things like cleaning my house, doing dishes and (UGH) keeping my mouth shut when my opinion isn't asked for. Yeah!

    • ronedmondson says:

      Thanks Laurinda. I agree with you…we don't seldom recognize how the quality work we do represents the faith we claim.

  • Jim says:

    Outstanding post. So much of life is about timing. And timing is a function of wisdom. "There is a time and place for everything." The tendency is for those of us in the pulpit to continually call people to a radical/dramatic exercise of faith. In reality, walking with Jesus, and for Jesus, is being faithful in the day to day little things in life. Yes, there are times when Jesus calls us to big, dramatic steps of faith, but most of the time he simply says, "Follow me."

  • Steve Akers says:

    Excellent post, Ron. I have been thinking about this lately as I'm reading the book "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream". And I have to say I completely agree with where you have landed. As we know from Hebrews 11:1, faith is the "assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." In other words, faith is a belief in God and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. But James 2:17 tells us that "faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." This is why Paul talks about the "obedience of faith" in Romans. If we believe in Christ, we will obey Him. And through obedience we show Him that we love Him. What about this is radical? Are there varying levels of an obedient faith ranging from mundane or traditional to extreme or radical? The Bible doesn't seem to teach that. Rather it seems to emphasize obedience to God, love for our fellow man, and utilizing our talents to God's glory in all things.

  • Sheryl says:

    I agree, radical faith = solid, quick, and self-sacrificing obedience. Without extreme faith, one typically drags ones feet or tries to compromise with what God is leading them to do. The most amazing result is that when we react with that sold out obedience, when we step out on radical faith, it develops an even stronger faith and reliance on God!

  • @oldgeekgal says:

    Radical does not equal glamour. Sometimes it's more radical to be a good neighbor than to trek off to foreign lands where no one knows the "real" you. I think Hollywood tempts us with a lot of notions that seem romantic, but Jesus walked in sandals on hot, dirt roads. It was slow and mundane sometimes. Then there were days of "Sermons on the Mt.", miraculous healing and walking on water!
    Great inspiration for today! Thank you.

  • Martina says:

    I agree basically with Darrell (previous post), that radical faith and radical obedience go hand-in-hand; and I have seen miraculous and awesome things come from that. And, Ron, I think you make an extremely important point about keeping all things in context.
    However, I have seen many people sacrifice their marriages and children on the altar of calling or vocation. I am not certain that is what the Lord is calling most people to. This is not a problem only in religious circle but also in secular professions. I am not sure that the Lord wants us to leave the people we love most, broken in our wake.
    We must be very careful to discern what the Lord is truly requiring of us, versus what our egos are requiring. And, if we are being called, we should follow with all haste.

  • Great stuff Ron. Two reactions: 1. You hit the nail on the head. It's not really about being radical; it's about being obedient. God will dictate how "radical" you need to be. 2. Being radical in today's world doesn't require you to sell all your possessions or to trek across the globe risking your life to spread the word. Simply being transparent, giving freely and truly investing in a personal relationship with God can seem very radical to believers and non-believers alike.
    http://www.thewaytothere.wordpress.com

  • RickRouth says:

    A good friend of mine had a call to apartment ministry. He said, "I can't just pack up the house and move into an apartment! We live here, it's our home! And besides, we're still close to apartments…" Then he was let go from his job and *had* to give up their home. They now run an apartment ministry full-time and are truly making a difference.
    In short, to add to your post. If you have a calling, follow quickly or you may find yourself pressed into following later.

  • Darrell says:

    I have always thought that radical faith and radical obedience go hand in hand. I have seen more pretty amazing things happen walking in a radical obedience.