Romans 1:16 boldly declares that God’s power for salvation is within the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul teaches that the basis of the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. What does the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus represent? It represents radical transformation. Could there be a more radical transformation than that of a dead and lifeless body into one that is filled with power and eternal life? In essence, this is exactly what the focus of the gospel is-radical transformation. Paul writes in Romans 12:2,3 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Here is radical transformation in action. Notice that radical transformation is focused at the problem of sin, not at God’s solution to the problem of sin. We fail to radically transform people when the object of the transformation becomes God’s will. We succeed to radically transform people when we are obedient to God’s will and focus the transformation upon the sinful will of man. But radical transformation requires something radical of us as well-radical confrontation.
Now, I am not speaking about a Sam Kinneson approach to confrontation where we are “in the face” of those who need transformation. I am speaking about an honest and up front discussion of the information that is contained within the gospel of Christ. If we engage our neighbors in a loving and kind way, there is no need to fear the confrontational element within the gospel. It is something that comes from the gospel itself-not from us. The confrontation is as natural as the confrontation between darkness and light. It is something with which we should be comfortable in presenting. So why are we so often uncomfortable in presenting it? Perhaps it is because so often we don’t take the up front approach with the gospel. Instead of talking frankly (but kindly) we “hint” at things. Instead of speaking candidly, we hem and haw around the issue. In essence we set ourselves up for the uncomfortableness in the gospel’s confrontational nature by not setting the expectations of those with whom we study.
How do we get over this without delving into the Sam Kinneson school of confrontation? We must simply be direct with those with whom we talk. Let them know up front that we are not speaking to them out of malice, but simply letting them know what the scriptures teach. When the topics come up, speak openly and freely and don’t act like the subject is uncomfortable for you to talk about. Other people can sense when we are uncomfortable with something and that makes them uncomfortable with it. That awkwardness will always be there if we don’t take the necessary step into candidness. This confrontation is not between two people, but between the presentation of the truth and the need for change in an individual’s life. Without radical confrontation there cannot be radical transformation.
Now, whose life do you know that needs radical transformation today? Look around you and I am sure that you can spot one or two individuals who have such a need. Now calmly, gently, quietly, humbly, meekly, and patiently walk up to them and say, “Have you been radically transformed?”