Radical

Every once in a while we read a book that causes us to radically change our perspectives on a particular subject.  The book, “Radical” by David Platt did exactly that for me.  The author compares the American Dream to the Great Commission as found in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  So many Americans hide behind their comfortable lifestyles and say, “Well, I’m not called to missions.”  It’s true, we are not called.  We are commanded.  It is clearly the will of God for us to take the gospel to the nations.

No, we cannot all physically go to another nation to take the gospel to the lost billions of people.  But, can we go to our neighborhoods?  The sad reality is that most of us are not going, not to another nation nor to another neighborhood, but rather we are sitting idle in our American churches enjoying our salvation.

The book challenges its readers to review their lifestyles, finances, talents and resources to see how these can be used to take the gospel to the untold billions of unsaved people.  The author gives us practical examples to help guide us in fulfilling the challenge.  He gives us inspiring stories of others who have radically changed their American lifestyles to ensure the gospel is preached into the entire world.  He gives us courageous stories of people in other countries who live radical lives by simply being a Christian.

I was deeply moved as I read stories of men and women who risked everything, including their lives, for the gospel in other countries.  I read stories of people who gathered together secretly in a small, dimly lit room for over eight hours of praying, studying the Word and worshipping God in a country where it is illegal to do so.  It burdened my heart to read about entire nations and/or people groups where there are no churches.  No Christians.  No missionaries.  No gospel.  No Jesus.  NO JESUS?!  Is this not a cause worth living for?  Is this not a cause worth dying for?  Lord, here am I.  Send me.