A Revolution of True Life
John the Baptist was definitely a radical, a revolutionary, a freak even. He walked away from a seemingly prestigious and comfortable life as a priest in the temple. It’s what his family did for generations. It was a good life – respectable, powerful, wealthy, influential, and political even. He walked away from all of it so that he could one day revolutionize evangelism. He chose to live in the desert alone as a nobody instead of in the temple with his family and among his friends where he would be respected and hold an important position in society. He chose to eating locust and wild honey rather than the choicest of foods. He chose to wear clothes made of camel’s hair rather than clothes made of the finest linens and materials of his day.
Why? He understood at a young age that there was something more important that himself. He realized that his personal sacrifice and dedication to his call would usher in a revolution that would change not just the church, but the entire planet for all of history. He may have been a freak to some, but he knew his destiny and he was determined to see it fulfilled – not for his sake, but for your sake.
The message that John the Baptist proclaimed needs to remain as our catalyst to ignite a revolution in our day, in our families, in our schools, in our city, in
The days of closet Christianity have long been over. It’s “in” to be religious and Christian. Politician claim (and even hide behind) it as a reality in their life. Christianity is talked about in movies, music, and television – it’s a hot topic – it’s has become a part of our progressive culture even. But this revolution will take it even further.
As George Barna puts it, “Because human being become what they believe, and practicing what they believe is the swiftest and surest means of generating lasting change, this revolution of faith is the most significant transition you and I will experience during our lifetime” (Revolution, pg11)
Today, more than ever, people are looking for a change in their thinking, behavior, and experience, where settling for what is acceptable, average, or even good wont cut it. They want something real – something challenging – something purposeful and life changing. John the Baptist new this way back then and we know that it’s also true today.
In his book, Uprising, Erwin McManus said that life is an adventure, a journey, a trek filled with uncertainty, excitement and risk. He said that within all of us there is "a confession waiting to be declared without shame, 'I want to live!' But sometimes this yearning, this longing to be alive, is drowned by lesser ambitions. We just want to make it through the day, survive, make ends meet, go through the routine, and then exist rather than live (Uprising, pg5).
Well, surviving isn’t enough – at least not for me – and defiantly not for the revolutionary. Surviving wasn’t enough for John the Baptist either. He could have survived as a priest along side his father. He could have survived serving the people of his temple, helping them go through the rituals and teaching them the scripture. However, he chose not to merely exist. He chose to live!
The first and foremost aspect of joining this revolution is for us to stand up and unashamedly declare “I want to live!” I don’t just want to exist as a Christian that goes to church once, maybe twice a week. I don’t want to exist as a teenager that claims Christianity but lives in compromise. I don’t want to just exist, abiding by a set of rules rituals that weigh me down. “I want to live!”

A revolution is birthed in DOING! A revolution is bringing about a change in perception and reality of what could be. A revolution is seeing the potential for freedom and true life and doing whatever it takes to possess them. Revolution means action, change, sacrifice, and yes, even war.
I’m sure that your days are filled with excitement and adventure mixed with anxiety and stress, but it could become so much more. Everyday could be spiritual “Boston Tea Party” for your life and for this youth group. Today could be the start of a revolution that not only leads you into a deeper walk with Christ, but a revolution that YOU lead through the power of the Holy Spirit to change your world. The choice is yours.
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