As I was driving to work one morning last week, I just wanted to give God a Big, Radical Praise! Then I started thinking about how the world sees such a thing. As I watch many shout for their favorite ball teams and such, I am puzzled that they think some of us are crazy for giving the One in whom we Live, and Move, and Have Our Being; a Radical Praise!, (Acts 17:28).
As I pondered on these things it came into my mind to do a word study, so I googled it. As I read the meaning of the word “Radical”, my heart melted because I understood that My God Is, and Was Radical For Me.
Radical
adjective
1. (especially of change or action) relating to or effecting the fundamental nature of something; far reaching or thorough.
“a radical overhaul of the existing regulatory framework”
synonyms: thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, entire, absolute, utter, comprehensive, root and branch, sweeping, far reaching, wide-ranging,extensive, profound drastic, severe,serious, major,desperate, stringent, violent, forceful, rigorous, draconian
“radical reform is long overdue”
I LOVE THIS!!!
Relative to this meaning, I think that the photo (pictured above) is perfect for the theme of this post. This is a perfect picture of that “root to branch” connection that’s keeping us alive. He knew that the blood of bulls and goats could not perfect our hearts, pertaining to our conscious, so He sent Jesus to shine in our hearts (Hebrews 10:1-23). Because He conquered death, hell and the grave, we have received the Spirit of adoption, which is the Power by which we stand in this present dark world (Rev. 1:18, Rom. 8:15).
(Holy Bible, King James Version)
In the words of Christ:
“But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26). “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).
Because He is so Absolute in His love for me, in His far reaching, wide-ranging mercy, He reached Way…. down for me. He knew that I was going to need a change in my fundamental nature, a “radical overhaul of my existing regulatory framework“. I was eighteen years old when I received the baptism in the Holy Ghost. A gift (the Power) that He knew that I was going to need for the radical reform that was much needed, and long overdue in my life. He knew me before any of my members were formed (psalm 139), and like Jacob, I was a transgressor from my mothers womb (Isaiah 48:8), also like Jacob, I am chosen in the furnace of affliction, and refined in the fire (48:10).
Some may say that those scriptures were for a different time, and a different people, but the two-fold application can’t be understood in the flesh. It is opened unto us through the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4-6). We should never compromise the power and healing that flows from the word of God. “It is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discern-er of the thoughts and intents of the heart” ( Heb. 14-2).
As I read the 48th chapter of Isaiah I can understand that He is the first and the last. My heart leaps with joy to know that from the beginning; from the time that it was, He said, “there am I”;
Taking that down to a personal level, my heart is overwhelmed with a Crazy, Radical Praise! Oh if only I would have hearkened to His commandments! then my peace would have been as a river! Therefore I will flee “this Babylon” with the voice of singing, and I will declare that He hath redeemed me. I will tell of the great and mighty acts that He has done in my life.
I am now a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God, through the Spirit of God; I am built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians. 2:20)
I am God’s building (1 Cor. 3:9).
“1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight) 8 We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 1-10).
In conclusion, I think that it is fair to say that God is Radical for me! He has covered me from the cradle to the grave. I am so thankful for the “radical overhaul of my existing regulatory framework”! Again, Therefore I will flee “this Babylon” with the voice of singing, and I will declare that He hath redeemed me. I will tell of the great and mighty acts that He has done in my life, Amen!
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