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Our world lumps extremists together with radicals and fanatics. It considers all such people with pejorative labels: ignorant, emotional, and irrational. But Christ calls us to a life of extremism—he wants us to be radical like him.
Jesus Christ introduces us to a new kind of extremism. In Luke 6:32-37 he says,
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” lend to “sinners,” expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
When most people around the world think of Christian extremists, the sad image that comes to mind is of brutality and hypocritical judgments passed by the seemingly self-righteous. However, this is very different from the radicalism Christ portrays. Christ does not ask us to kill in his name; instead he chose to die for sinners. He chooses forgiveness instead of condemnation. Christianity in its most radical form will not result in destruction, but will ultimately result in peace and reconciliation—the greatest need of our world.
Radical Love
The first element of Christian extremism is radical love. When we see so many broken relationships and cynical hearts, it makes us wonder if real love is losing its meaning with the growing desire for convenience and self-satisfaction. Yet Christ tells us Christian extremism is not just about loving those who love us. Radical Christianity is not demonstrated when we care only for those who cater to our needs. But Christlike Christianity is about loving those who are full of hate.
Jesus Christ makes clear if we love only people who love us, we are no different than anyone else. In Matthew 5:44-46 he says, “But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
God demonstrates his love even to those who go against his will. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
As a result of God’s extreme love, Saul—who once persecuted Christians—became Paul, whose work continues to touch lives for his sake. God still reaches out to people like King David and the Samaritan woman at the well. His arms still extend to those blinded by the bliss of immorality. His radical love still changes lives.
When Australian missionary Dr. Graham Staines and his two young boys were brutally burned to death by Hindu extremists in India, Gladys Staines and her teenage daughter stood by the three graves of their beloved, praying that the murderers would come to know the love of Christ. The song they sang on national television still reverberates and sends chills down the spines of those who remember, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. . . .” Christian extremism finds hope in the darkness, joy in sadness, and grace in hopelessness!
Remarkable Compassion
The second important element of Christian extremism is compassion. In Acts 4:1-13, Peter and John are persecuted because they show compassion. Showing compassion to strangers was uncommon in the first century. In John 9:1, 2, Jesus shows compassion to a blind man. Instead of showing care and concern for the man, the disciples question if the man’s suffering is a result of sin. His disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (A popular belief in India says suffering is a result of a person’s bad “karma.”)
Jesus answers the disciples, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned—but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Then Jesus heals this man because he has compassion. When we show compassion to others, we represent our Savior and people see the love of Jesus in us.
Reconciling Forgiveness
Third, Christian extremism asserts the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Matthew 6:14, 15, Christ reminds us the Father forgives our sins, but he wants us to first forgive those who sin against us. Jesus says, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Forgiving is not easy. It requires humility and understanding. In addition, forgiveness requires an effort as one promises not to dwell on the incident that caused hurt. According to 1 Corinthians 13:5 and Ephesians 4:32, when we practice forgiveness, we honor and glorify God by becoming more like our Lord Jesus Christ.
Real Concern
The leader of Central India Christian Mission’s prison ministry, Majid Mashi, visited Dara Singh, the man who led the mob that murdered Graham Staines and his two sons. Mashi was deeply moved when he heard Singh say, “Numerous people come to see me all the time. The politicians, journalists, and lawyers ask many questions. They receive answers and return back to their work. But it is the Christians that show a genuine concern for my wife and children, who reside in a destitute home. I may never preach the gospel, but I will certainly tell others of the sincere thoughtfulness that Christians display.”
This prisoner’s testimony exemplifies the fourth element regarding Christian extremism—extreme concern for our world. If we truly have a genuine concern for humanity, we cannot help but share the message of Christ and radiate the joy of salvation that comes from accepting his love. In Matthew 28:18, 19, Jesus asks his disciples to share this hope as he says,
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
People often misunderstand or misinterpret us. A man from an extremist group asked a Christian missionary, “Why is there such a big issue about conversion in your religion? Is it so you can get more money from the U.S. or is it because you want to become a strong religious force? Do you convert people so you can prove others wrong?”
The missionary replied, “No. We share Jesus because we love you. We want you to have salvation. We want you to have eternal life and we want you to find true meaning and purpose in this life.”
God created us so we can glorify him. He did not create us to be “lukewarm,” but to love deeply and live passionately. The ultimate truth is manifested in Christ, who calls us to be radical like him!
A 2-year-old girl lived with her grandmother in a small town in England. One dark night, their three-story apartment building caught fire. When the grandmother died, the little girl was sent off to court. She stood in front of a judge who was to pass a decision regarding her adoption. A wealthy doctor said his financial assets would make him the most suitable caregiver. Another candidate contested that he was a renowned teacher and possessed many degrees. Yet another claimed he owned the most land, and he would guarantee a bright future for the girl. The last contender stood up and said, “I saved her life. My burned hands are my evidence.”
If we truly relish the price of the greatest sacrifice, we will understand his call to live an extreme life for him! Ignorant stipulations do not stem from radicalism, but detachment and neutrality result from a failure to see the truth.
Ajai Lall is founder and head of Central India Christian Mission, Damoh, India.
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