“Radical obedience to Christ
is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in
this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in
the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for
us.” -David Platt
Being obedient can be extremely difficult
when you do not know what the outcome will be of your obedience. Radical obedience is putting full trust and
faith into God when you don't know the end result of Gods plan. Let's be honest we are almost never are privy
to Gods plan, however we are reassured that Gods plans for us do not involve
harming us and are not void of hope (see Jeremiah 29:11). Radical Obedience does not mean we are exempt
from fear or absent of worry. We are reminded
that God works for the good of those who love him (see Romans 8:28).
The terms "radical" and "obedience"
have both been given a bad rap, yet they are major cornerstones for a
believer. If followed, they lead us to
new heights in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Radical:
(Especially of
change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something;
far-reaching or thorough.
Obedience:
Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's
authority.
When I think about radical obedience I am
reminded of Esther. Her unfailing obedience
is the blueprint for what radical obedience is.
Esther was made queen while concealing the
fact that she was a Jew. God gave her
favor with the king to become queen (regardless of her prior stature). She was put in that position to stop the destruction
of the Jews and according to Esther 4:8 she was instructed to, "go
into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people." Though
the complete plan was undisclosed to her on how it would all come about, in
Esther verse 4:14 she is told;
"For
if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will
arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who
knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Here is where is gets risky. She cannot just go to the king like someone
on the street. According to scripture;
"Hathak
went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of
the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in
the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be
put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their
lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” (Esther
4:9-11)
She would most likely be put to death by
the king, regardless of being the queen.
This for anyone else would be mission impossible and she knew that. She knows that there is a huge risk and cost
of this radical obedience, but is reminded that God has planned her for this
moment all of her life.
"When
Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not
think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will
escape. For if you remain silent at this
time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but
you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come
to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
Then one of the greatest lines in history
comes from Esther's mouth that should empower us all in ever challenge we face
and all we are asked to do by God;
"When
this is done, I will go to the king,
even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)
The most amazing thing happened when she
acted out her radical obedience;
"On the third day Esther put on her
royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s
hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the
entrance. When he saw Queen Esther
standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold
scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the
scepter.
Then
the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to
half the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:1-4)
She was spared her life and was told by the
king that He would give her anything she asked. Radical obedience equaled
radical favor.
As with anything, there is a cost and a
reward.
The
Cost of Radical Obedience:
*You will be seen as radical and may not
"fit in"
*You may be judged
*Loss of comfort
*You will feel fear and anxiety
The
Rewards of Radical Obedience:
*God moving in huge ways in your life
*Trusting and falling more in love with God
*Gods protection/covering
*God's favor
The next time God is prompting you towards
radical obedience ask yourself,
"Have
I come to this position for such a time as this?"
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