The word “Radical” in its original meaning simply means “going to the root or the source.” As Christians we are called to live a “Radical Life” one that is “rooted and built up in [Christ] and established in the faith…” Colossians 2:7 In this new series, we will be looking at what it truly means to follow Christ and live a life of discipleship. What does it cost us? What are Christian liberties? And what is our hope? These are just some of the questions we will be answering in this series. To some it may seem extreme, but to those who consider themselves Christians, the Radical life is the standard by which Christ calls His followers.
The Radical Life
By: Ian Opiniano
In the first session of our series, “The Radical Life” we began by examining the antithesis of the Radical Life- The Complacent Life. We looked at the Church of Laodecia, a church that Christ accused of being Lukewarm. We discovered that the challenge He gave to them is the same challenge we must undertake in order to break free from our own complacency: We must invite refinement, righteousness, restoration and repentance. Jesus is knocking at the door inviting us to a Radical Life.
The Radical Choice
By: Ian Opiniano
In our last Pluslife session, we examined the Radical Choice that the early disciples had to make in order to follow Christ. We discovered that the choices they were required to make between, “comfort and contentment”, “customs and calling” and “culture and Christ” are the same choices that we face today. In order to live the Radical Life, we must choose between Christ and the world, free from the desire of turning back. The Cross before us, the world behind us.
Radical Love
By: Ian Opiniano
In our last Pluslife session, we discussed what it means to have a Radical kind of Love. Love that is Compassionate, Costly, Continuos and ultimately Christ-like. We learned that if we desire to live a Radical Life for God, then Love must be the motivator to this lifestyle. We are called to love like Christ, to demonstrate a love that is different from the world, a Radical Love.
A Radical Church
By: Ian Opiniano
As we closed off our “Radical Life” series, we summed up all our previous sessions and looked at what Jesus established in Matthew 16- His Church. We discovered that the church Jesus started was indeed controversial to the religious groups of His day, because it went against the religious norms of society. Jesus desired His church to be Fierce- advancing against the kingdom of darkness, Focused on the things of God, and taking up their cross to Follow Him. Jesus was establishing A Radical Church filled with believers who lived radical lives.