Radical Follower

   A picture of the radical believer who wishes to follow Jesus is clearly seen in the lives and practices of those known as the Anabaptists. Two major concerns seem to stick out when reading about the Anabaptists in The Jesus Paradigm, association and missions. According to both of these themes a radical believer should be one who is identified only with Christ and His concerns while rejecting any typical church performances or ideas that have no spiritual meaning.

   In regards to association the radical believer should not be individualistic in his approach to ministry. He should be associated with Christ in a way that associates him with the congregation with which he worships. Humility is key to this way of life. Many so often decide to take a position in the church and treat it as though it is special just to them. Therefore, they tend to be intimidating in ways or even high-minded because they think their gifts or talents are devised just for this position, acting as though they're the only ones that can fulfill it. Humility in a radical believer who loves Jesus will lead him to work with the congregation with which he serves the Lord. Whether he or she is an expert in one area of church administration or whether an individual has the title of Dr. or whether he is the senior pastor of the local congregation his concern is to be willing to serve even in a position that is less than his present position. A radical believer is one who is willing to put the unnecessary practices and performances and ideas of the present church today behind him and practice what was done so often in the church during the first century. One is willing to serve with his brother and sister to make the name of Christ known to those around him. Whereas, today, many who serve in the church, do so with the attitude of, "I have this," or "I know all about this area." This believer, following Christ, should display humility in a way that associates him with the congregation as he serves with the congregation. Too many nowadays take their positions and their titles and are offended if you don't address them in such a way to acknowledge that issue. That is not what the New Testament taught in the first century and it is not what the Scriptures teach today.

   Humility should also lead the individual radical believer in the life of sacrifice as well. Giving up that which he truly does not need is something that a person like who's been described should desire to do every day. He should be willing to give up his parking spot or hold on an extra 30 seconds just to help someone through the door way. Today the attitude of sacrifice is more along the lines of, "what can I do that will make Jesus happy as well as myself." Or an even more direct line of thinking might be, "what can I give up now that I will be able to get back later." Sacrifice of the radical believer, should, in all actuality, have very little to do with his own concerns. His mind should be so focused on Christ that he already realizes what he needs and does not need and from that his decision to give up something takes very little thought. In other words, sacrifice for this type of believer should be something that comes to him naturally, it should be a joy for him at all times putting a smile on his face and it is something that he should never think twice about with regret.

   Another concern of the radical believer should be in regards to missions. Missions involves much of what has just been spoken on. The radical believer is someone who is concerned with the spread of the gospel and is ready to go anytime whether it is across the street, across the country or across the world. His desire is to see souls saved for the glory of God and if he cannot go himself he is humble enough and mature enough in his faith that he understands that prayer is the best way for him to offer his service. Many today think that prayer is just sitting around with nothing to do but saying a few words then stopping. But as Paul more than once implied to the congregations to which he wrote, prayer is hard work and is for those who are willing to give up time and effort to pray for those in intercession who are in need. This warrior looks at prayer, as a radical  believer, as more necessary in some ways than a physical traveling. But not only is he humble in the sense of being able or unable to do something, he's willing to sacrifice anything, and along some lines, everything, that he might get the chance to tell someone of the glory and salvation of Jesus the Christ.

   In a few words, how do I measure up? I am the perfect example of the radical believer if you stop with intention. However, add in resisting the devil, submitting to God when I desire not to do something He wishes for me to do, as well as other areas of submission and responsibility, I would have to say I have a long way to go. As a child of God I am being sanctified day by day only to realize the full truth as is stated in I John 3:2, "... but this I know, that when I shall see Him I shall be like Him, for I shall see Him as He is."

Insights gathered from The Jesus Paradigm by Dr. David Alan Black

Suffering for God's glory

1 Peter 3:13-4:19

Summarizing Suffering

      Summarizing what Peter says in 1 Peter 3:13-4:19 can be summed up in what he says, I believe, in the last verse, 4:19, our lives should be committed to our Savior, Jesus the Christ, during our suffering here on this earth. And committing our lives to Jesus the Christ our Savior during our times of suffering here, Paul gives a few teachings that can be identified in this chapter and a half. The first of which is that we should be willing to live our lives according to God's will before others that they may glorify God even though they persecute us. In vv. 14-16 we see how Peter instructs the believers to be ready to give an answer to those who ask them why they trust in God based upon the fact that they are living for the Savior. As a result, this life should be reflected by a clear conscience and a happy, content spirit because of the way one is living.

      A second teaching that Peter writes in his letter in regards to suffering is that of doing it for the right reason. He instructs believers in v. 17 to suffer for well-doing which he reiterates in 4:14-15. The intention, again, I believe, is to point out the fact that when they are reproached for the name of Christ they're not only doing it for the right cause but, he also wishes to encourage them, that this should be a reason for them to count themselves as happy or content.

      In 4:1-5 Peter writes to the believers telling them that they should arm themselves with the mind of Christ which Paul talks about in Philippians 2. He points out how Christ suffered for us in the flesh to relate to them about their new life in Christ. He tells them that now that they are serving Christ, they are not living a life of sin as they once had in their past life. In relating his teaching of how believers should live according to the will of God Peter comments in these verses of how unbelievers think it strange that they don't walk with them as they once did. In arming themselves he exhorts them to be prepared at all times. Like Paul, in Ephesians 6:10–18, Peter also wished for his readers that they would arm themselves daily by the Spirit’s power so that they would be prepared for the struggles they would face. Peter tells them to be sober and watch unto prayer. Or rather, be diligent in seeking Christ, being sure to live for Him on a daily basis in everything they do and say. And yet, "watch unto prayer" is also given, I believe, to exhort them to seek the wisdom of God as they serve Him on this earth. As James tells us in v. 5 but if we ask for wisdom God is faithful to give us exactly that.

      In 4:8-11 Peter exhorts the believers to minister to one another, as believers in Christ, by the gifts which God had given them and to do it with the spirit of love. There was obviously some spirit, even at that time, to be competitive or jealous in the way one served or even desired to serve. Therefore, Peter tells them to do it without grudging. This is mentioned, I believe, to show them that serving Christ should be done willingly and appreciatively because of the abilities one had received from Him. But whether verbal or physical ministry Peter points out to these believers as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that everything they do or say should be done to glorify the Lord their God.

      One last instruction that Peter gives in summarizing these verses is that of considering trials as a norm. He doesn't want them to think that they are being persecuted by God or wrongly treated by their Savior because of the hard times with which they are dealing. As we see in the book of Acts it is a mark of the faithful to suffer for Christ our Lord and that is what Peter wished to relate to them in this instruction of not considering it strange when enduring trials. In the spirit we see of King David, Peter desired that his audience would long to, “Sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully” with them, Ps. 13:6.

            In my own life, as of now, I can honestly say that God is using suffering in my life for a purpose. I do not look at the suffering as being a form of condemnation but rather a blessing that I might be able to live in a manner for God to show others of His love and strength. Physically, I endure a form of paralysis/weakness which affects most of my body in one way or another. But I believe these hardships are not to be seen as negative in any light but rather as an opportunity. And that is what I believe Peter was trying to express to these believers. To live before others in a way that your conduct reveals the love, strength, wisdom and sovereignty of God was what, I believe, was the intended purpose of Peter in writing. Suffering, whether spiritually or physically should be seen as an opportunity, an opportunity to glorify the Lord Jesus the Christ in a way that no one else can because they have not been given the chance that you have received from the Lord. To look at suffering as a hardship, I will not even begin to suggest that I see it is otherwise. But, yet, to look at suffering, for the cause of Christ, and see it as anything other than a blessing from God, I believe, is to belittle the awesome power of our Savior in our own minds.