Radicalis 2010, Part 1

Radicalis = from the root (Radical = rooted)

No, that is not some sort of mathematical or philosophical equation. It is from the 2010 Radicalis conference I mentioned near the beginning of the month. I want to share with you what I learned from the free sessions now that the Micah study is over (the next study will be from Colossians). As for this brief series, Rick Warren said to spread it to our leaders and call it our own. So here is my own take of Rick Warren's material (which he probably borrowed himself, jk).

Radical Devotion

What are you rooted in? My father-in-law spends countless hours rooting plants and growing them to a healthy state. Each root is precious because handling it wrong can destroy the plants ability to get nourishment causing it to die. One of the things my father-in-law does is use egg shells and coffee grounds. I would have never thought to use such things in my garden (then again, I don't like coffee) but these items break down and provide the soil with needed nutrients (don't ask what kind because I don't know). The plant is able to use those nutrients to grow strong roots. The roots are where the energy of the plant is stored. Have good roots and you have a strong plant.

Roots have a problem when the soil is unsuitable for growing. When the soil lacks nutrients, the plant dies. When the soil is rocky most plants can't get started. When the soil is on a path, well, the plant just gets squished. Roots need good fertile soil to exist. Christians do also.

Just look at the various verses in the Bible that speak of roots:

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT)

But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. Matthew 13:21 (NLT)

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)

A remnant of the family of Judah yet again will sink down roots and raise up fruit. 2 Kings 19:30 (MSG)

Radical devotion means building roots in your faith that will last. This can only happen when you decide worship God with your whole life. Notice how some of the verses say this:

• continue to follow Him - roots grow down to provide a foundation
  
• trust in Him - roots grow down and keep you strong
  
• good roots keep you from giving up
• good roots fend off worry and bring on contentment
• good roots are the only way to experience life abundantly

Are you radically devoted to God? Are you putting Him first in your life? Simple test:

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Are you worshiping God with all you have or ever will have? Are you caring for those around you regardless of the cost? Are you sharing your faith in a way that people will want to reconcile with God? Are you taking time to learn all you can about God's Word and sharing what you learn? Are you attending a place of worship regularly so that you can build strong relationships with other Christians?

Radical devotion is learning to put first things first. What is first in your life? Have you forgotten your first love? Are you rooted?

I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall! Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle. Revelation 2:2-5 (MSG)