Radical/Crazy/Extreme/Really, Really Radical/Even More Crazy than Ever Before In Christian subculture there has been a spate of books and conferences that have emphasized the “radical” nature of following Jesus. But what does it truly mean to be radical? To be radical is, literally, to get to the root of something. From that original meaning it became connected to “radical” in the sense of crazy/extreme/even more crazy than ever before. If radical basically, literally, means to get to the root of something, then nothing could be more radical than Romans 8 verses 12 to 14.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

This is the passage that we are considering this weekend at College Church. It is urging us to get to the root of sin in our own lives (“radically”). It is also explaining how to root out sin in our own lives. Romans 8:12-14 is one of the most radical passages in the Bible. It is life changing, and it is life giving. Ask yourself this: if I want to be radical for Jesus, if I want to live a life that is radically transformed by the power of the Spirit, if I want my life brought into radical community, and if I want my life radically focused upon God’s word, then what other part of the Bible would be more productive to spend my time understanding, and applying? Think what a difference it would make to our individual lives if this passage was understood and applied. Think what a difference it would make to our marriages and families. Think what a difference it would make to our schools and colleges. Think what a difference it would make to our churches. And our world.]]>