Radical


Act 20:20  I didn't skimp or trim in any way. Every truth and encouragement that 

	could have made a difference to you, you got. I taught you out in public 

	and I taught you in your homes, 

Act 20:21  urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and 

	an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus. 


	It would not be enough to just agree with that of which Paul spoke. There 

was a truth and an understanding that would bring a change and make a difference 

in every aspect of life. No matter the background, no matter where they had come 

from, there was an opportunity presented in knowing Christ that would bring way 

more than just a few changes here and there. Even for those who may have already 

begun to trust in Jesus, there would never be an end to the progressive change 

that would encompass their whole life. All things would become new and in every 

way there would be identification with Jesus and His way of living life. This 

would be a radical change- one that would go to the very core element of each 

person's being and completely alter the basis upon which all remaining life 

would be lived. There would indeed be necessary changes in language, in apparel 

and in all of living, but the guiding element in each of these things would be 

that foundational change of heart that gave each one direct access to the Source 

of this new, radically changed life. 


	From these two verses in Acts it is apparent that all of Paul's efforts in 

teaching were to continually prompt people to an awareness of God's presence and 

involvement in their lives. It wasn't that he was trying to just alter the way 

they lived for the sake of a religious imposition. The necessary radical changes 

would not be accomplished through establishing rules and restrictions, but 

through further exposing the reality of God and His ways. Even when there might 

be a disciplinary correction taken, it's purpose was to remove anything that 

might inhibit relationship with the Master. Every subsequent alteration would 

always be based upon reference to that experience in which the glory of God came 

in and radically transformed the very nature and substance of the heart. Without 

a continual development of this core purpose and elemental pursuit of His 

nearness, all activity would just evolve into man-made productions and religion. 


	Paul knew what it was like to experience this radical change in his own 

life. There was a complete change of direction and purpose that began when his 

vision and reason were bypassed on the way to his heart in the light of God's 

glory. The change began, not with his conduct, but with his heart, and every 

subsequent change of philosophy, doctrine, belief and way of life would be based 

upon the legitimacy of this radical and life-changing transformation. From his 

encounter with the Master, the substance from which he would draw all motivation 

to press on towards the prize was formed on the Rock that would remain forever 

steadfast and sure. There would be no sustained turning from this change of 

heart. He was forever altered in his base element, and there could only be an 

unending following of choices in direction and obedience that would form a life 

quite different from that which he had formerly known. 


	There is a way of life that is on a higher level and very far removed from 

the path that would have been our former choice. A light has gone right to the 

source of our being and made a very fundamental and radical change that forever 

alters our options in following its leading. While this radical change has taken 

place in the core of our being, there is yet a need for it to be followed in the 

transformation of every other aspect of life. There will be certain obvious 

changes that will confirm the initial transformation, but there is a further 

maturity and stability in the new way that will come only with additional 

revelation of His presence and purpose. Prompted to follow the leading of each 

revelation to a change of lifestyle as an act of worship, there will be a 

continual completion of this radical transformation in all areas of living. 

Driven by a heart of passion formed and confirmed in His presence, what once 

could never have been is made to be more than possible in victoriously fulfilled 

purpose. Ours will be both a radical life-change before our Master and radical 

trust in His faithfulness. 



9/27/04