When the doctor asked if I had noticed whether the spot on my chest had changed in the last few months, I hadn’t even realized there was a spot. So she took a sample for tests. Then she called back with good news and bad news. The bad news: it was melanoma. The good news: it was confined to the surface. So I asked what we do about it. The answer was quick and aggressive. Act quickly, cut it out and excise the area around it so it is completely removed, and check back every few months to be sure no more occur.

Then it dawned on me that this was a blueprint for how to handle sin in my life. When you find something in your life that should not be there, get aggressive in treatment. Act quickly. Sin will only wrap you deeper and deeper. It does not go away on its own. Cut it out. Do not fool around with sin. Remove it. Be radical. Cut off inappropriate relationships completely. Take any steps necessary to rid yourself of sin. Be preventative. Ask people to watch for danger signs in your life. Be on guard for situations that may lend themselves to temptation. Know your weakness.

For some of you, this may sound harsh, but I am talking to those who are ready to live radical lives for Jesus. Christianity is not a hobby, or a habit, or one of the important things to do. It is life. Real Christianity is being sold out to Jesus.

This approach works. So far I am cancer free. And this approach works spiritually. I know because I have been there. I have done radical surgery on my life to battle the cancer of sin. I have people who help me guard against its recurrence. Even more than my physical health, my spiritual health is real life. Now and forever.

I know this may not be the view of Christianity that some of you may have seen, but it is the call of Jesus: to die with him ... and then live in him forever.

Jesus calls us to radical Christianity, doing whatever it takes to live the life to which he has called us.
If you have wondered about becoming a radical Christian, write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. We’ll talk about it.


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