Here’s an huge understatement: what and how we think is extremely important.
Our lives are dramatically shaped, deeply affected by our thinking. Perspective can make an amazing difference. Radical thinking can revitalize your life! Consider a few examples . . .
The Apostle Paul suffered amazing hardships as a servant of the Lord Jesus. (Check out the list in II Corinthians 11:23-33.) Yet, a few pages earlier he wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Then, a few lines later Paul expressed this perspective:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18
Given the challenges Paul faced, he could have been bitter, discouraged, angry, and depressed, but no! He had a radical perspective, a view of life rooted in the promises of God. In Romans 8 he wrote, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” That’s radical thinking!
Stephen’s life was on the line as he stood before the council in Acts 7. His defense infuriated the Sanhedrin; “mad dog” looks were everywhere. Then, God gave Stephen a peak into the spiritual realm. Stephen announced, “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” That changed his perspective . . . moments later, as they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Stephen gained a fresh perspective from God. That’s radical!
A few weeks ago I greeted a brother as he walked out of his workplace. I asked, “How are you?” Tears welled up in his eyes as he answered, “I had a conflict with a fellow employee and the boss took his side, my wife is angry at me again. I’m not appreciated or needed at work or at home . . . everyone would be better off if I was dead!” I put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Brother, you are on a mission from God! God put you in that job and God gave you a wife, you’ve got a job to do and you just have to trust God.” I offered a brief prayer and he seemed encouraged. The next day he called me from work and said, “Hey, my boss just asked me to pray for him! I am on a mission from God!” Radical thinking revived that brother!
Radical thinking is keeping our eyes on Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Yes, even Jesus had a radical perspective . . . He was rooted in the will of the Father, and that enabled Jesus to live and die. We are beneficiaries of His faithfulness.
We need radical thinking today! Get back to your roots . . . you’ll find them in the pages of God’s word!
I’ll have more to say about radical thinking in the days ahead.
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Often, when I tell fellow Christians they should earnestly pray for their leaders, both secular-political and religious, they respond by saying that kind of thinking is radical, assuming this kind of thinking is from another playbook, not the Bible. They proffer that in their place of Christian authority, they are obliged to pray against leaders who don't measure up to their brand of biblical standards. This kind of thinking is rampant in Christian circles today as it has been for centuries. Nevertheless, the radical, root-level, fundamental axiom of the Kingdom of God is that, "... that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Now, that's radical, both in the root-level sense of the word and the idea that it is out of the mainstream thinking.
Your point that Christ was rooted in the will of the Father is truly the power that enabled him to be able endure the cross, and also live daily in this world. If we took the instruction Christ gave us in the Sermon on the Mount, we would find ourselves living a much more satisfying and empowered life of Christian faith. It is in those passages in the book of Matthew that we find a radical life, both in thought and in deed.
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