Radical

I have heard a lot of people talking about the book Radical by David Platt. It seems like the next fad book much like Prayer of Jabez was in high school, Desiring God in college and the Shack most recently. I am skeptical about buying and reading these fad books, but usually curiosity gets the better of me and I do. I try to keep an open mind, unswayed by the comments I've heard all over facebook or twitter. So Radical fit into this mindset. I went out and bought last weekend.

I have to be honest on first reading, my feelings were so different than the raving I heard from others. I thought if this guy really wanted to live a radical lifestyle he wouldn't be preaching at a megachurch. It took well into chapter three or four for me to get the message and for me to change my thinking, my judgment about this man. See, I judged him to be a self-proclaimed hypocrite. He touts ministering to the poor in a rich community. So here is me saying I was wrong. By chapter five I was sold and now by chapter eight I want to sign on the dotted line, sell everything I have and move somewhere, anywhere to preach the gospel.

What really hit me was the treatise on Romans. See, it is guaranteed that if we preach, they will hear, many will believe and call on the name of the Lord. It was encouraging to hear that when I preach the gospel in my Bible class, they all are hearing, many will believe, if not now, than later down the road. I believe with all my heart that in my class sit future John Pipers, Bruce Wilkinsons, and David Platts: world changers, violent men (and women) who will/are forcefully advancing the kingdom of God. But I was hit that the only place where the message cycle breaks down is if we don't preach. We are guaranteed hearers and believers, but only if we preach. So I want to preach. I am willing to give it all. So here is my renewed stand and prayer: Lord I will do anything and go anywhere to preach the gospel and advance your kingdom.