Radical

"Repentance is incomplete or insincere if it does not resolve to lead a new life. It seeks a true and accurate recollection of misdeeds without false humility. It does not suggest loss of appropriate self-esteem but rather requires a higher valuing of oneself by becoming radically honest before God so as to put one's feet on the way to recovery. It does not imply a diminishing or personal identity but an honoring and clarifying of one's personal identity through candid self-confrontation" (Oden, Classic Christianity, p.568).

Other than being trendy sometime in the 80's, the word "radical" isn't used that often. We are afraid to be radical. We fear stepping out as exceptionally extreme. We shy away from drastic uncompromising behavior, particularly in honesty. In a culture of plastic surgery and rampant dishonesty, what would happen if the church were radically honest before God?

One of my friends at seminary embodies this. Bryan is the most honest person I have ever met in my life. There is no pretense with him. If he doesn't understand something, he asks, without a thought of how it will make him look. He is compelled to disclose the kinds of things that most people would try to hide. For example, in church on Sunday his first response to my noticing he was more dressed up than usual was to show me that he was wearing white socks with dress slacks. That kind of honesty is refreshing. It is radical. Surely we can not appreciate or experience new life without a willingness to be radically honest before the Lord.

I am also interested in this phrase of "higher valuing" of oneself. When we see ourselves truly as who we are in Christ, repentance should be easy. When we compare the treasure of our righteousness in Him to the garbage of our sinfulness why would we continue to indulge ourselves? Giving up sin should be easy. The value difference between the pleasures of the flesh and the joy of salvation directs us toward repentance.

Soundtrack: Jesus Messiah, Chris Tomlin