Radical or Nominal?

Radical vs. Nominal

I want us to really ponder this morning on the battle between Radical Christianity and Nominal Christianity this morning. Radical denotes those who are above ordinary and are transformative or revolutionary in their living. Nominalism consists of those who float through life waving a banner, yet not living for or representing that banner. Radicals are in the game making plays; nominals are on the sidelines drinking gatorade and talking about cheerleaders. While there are a large number of Christians who fit into this nominal camp, this is not what Christ desires nor is it what we desire out of people, businesses, government and favorite teams (in our culture).  

When is the last time we raved about a product that didn't last? For instance, there are times when we buy the cheaper product, only to find ourselves frustrated when that product fails to last. A perfect example is toys from Dollar Tree. I love $1 toys. It makes our trip to the store less expensive when we buy our children toys from the Dollar store. Yet, those toys do not make it past the first day!Don't get me wrong, there are cheap products that do last, that are just as good as the more expensive items. 

When is the last time we raved about a favorite sports team who finished under 500? Sure, we might live out a glory win against a more favored opponent, but that's about all we can do. The truth is, if they finished under 500 then they failed to be great and noticeable. Many times we become frustrated with are sub-par team. Frustration leads to the blame game and Monday morning quarterbacking of what the coach or organization needs to do. 

When is the last time we raved about a struggling government who fail to unite together to truly help this country? Do we really like the fact that unemployment continues to linger between 9%-10%? Do we really like the fact that we continue to spend only to see tax in some form go up to pay for this increased spending? Do we really like watching the news and seeing the blame game both sides like to play? Do we really like hearing "It is not as bad as the previous government"?

When is the last time an investor raved that he made no money or even lost money in the stock market because of a par business? 

Our conversations are spent talking about radicals. It could be radicals who were radically positive or radically negative. Like the latest celebrity in the latest movie. Or Like the boss who has done something we didn't like. Maybe it was the best play from the football or basketball game the night before. It could be the latest restaurant outing that left us spell-bound. Or the latest product that has revolutionized a part of your life. Is it the amazing or disheartening customer service you received at a previous visit to a local business. 

Do we get the picture? We do not talk about the nominal, ordinary, or plain. We talk about the radical, the extraordinary, the revolutionary. Status quo, ordinary, plain, ok does not get our attention, our business, our cheers, or our investment. What does get our business, cheers, or investment is those entities which are above par, revolutionary, extraordinary, and radical.

Jesus desires for his followers to be radical. He does not want them to blend in to the normal everyday cultural followers; but, Jesus desires for his followers to stand out and be in many ways counter-cultural. The truth is, and it is a sad one, many believers are nominal, ordinary, status quo, cultural followers. These
usually are the ones talking about the radicals, whether it be positive or negative. A pet peeve of mine is for rumors in the church to originate and be spread from attendees who have been: recently intoxicated, sporadic in their church attendance, and null in their impact for the kingdom. My pet peeve is not necessarily centered on them, but also on the people who lend their ear to such nominal, narcissistic, venomous, negative, and fruitless people.       

If we are a follower of Christ let us desire and pursue the radical life and posture! Let us live as Christ would have us live! Results will include people talking, which could be positive or negative. Nevertheless, as Paul says, we are not seeking their approval, but the approval of the one who sent us. 

So, are we part of churches who desire to be radical? You would not believe how many people I have heard in the first two years of Life Point say "I love the smallness and intimacy of this church" "I got lost in 'so and so' church, because it was so big". What they fail to realize is that big church was radical in some shape, form, or fashion to the point they grew. What these people are saying is that they want a small church which is, convenient for them, comfortable for them, and conducive for them. They do not want to be challenged or exhorted to live, give, and serve radically for Jesus. They fail to realize that to take a small church to a large church, requires many people to embrace a radical and sacrificial posture, which obviously they were not willing to give. 

 Radical or Nominal? Which one are you? If not radical, become radical. Which one is your church? If not radical, either stay and lead it to be radical or leave and join one that is radical.