Why are Christians not as radical as we should be?

My Sunday School class has been working our way through the Radical book by David Platt. Today we explored the question, "Why are Christians not as radical as we should be?" Or rather, "Why are you not as radical as you should be?" Before you read our list (and a couple more I've picked up), what reason would you give? What's holding you back from being more radical for Christ?


1. Uncertainty about the future - what would really happen to me or my family if I were to sell my house and move to Sudan or to the housing projects? What about our safety, my kids' teeth? What if I get sick, mugged, or eaten by cannibals?

2. Repercussions from family and friends - they'll ostracize me and reduce even further their chances of hearing the gospel and trusting Christ to be their Savior.

3. Pearls before swine - "I've been pretty open in the past and found that sharing my faith is generally a waste of time. They don't want to hear it."


4. We are so integrated into our society - the things society values and needs are the very same things I feel I need.

5. Being radical requires a major intentionality, especially in the face of an already demanding routine. So, when a wife and mother is already spending her whole day running her household, she don't have time to add on other activities.



6. We don't really see the greatness of Christ. If the kingdom were more real to us than what we can see... If, deep down, we really believed that Christ rejecters will experience eternal regret under the wrath of the God they'd spurned, we would be willing to lay it all on the line.


I believe that last one is really the key. Our vision of Christ needs focus. He is great (e.g., Heb 1:1-8). He does love us (Jer 31:3 John 3:16). He is with us forever (Heb 13:5 Mt 28:20). And he gives us the opportunity to be radically His. Let's roll!