A Radical for Jesus

“A Radical for Jesus” is the title of a song God gave me in 2008. I had heard a story about how someone had said that my friend Stephen Wilcox was “way out there”. As I pondered this while I went about my daily work, I realized, “Well, if he’s way out there, then I’m way out there too, because I believe the same way!” A phrase from speaker Jonathan Lindvall came to mind: “Be a radical for Jesus!” As I worked, the Lord gave me the words and music for a new song. That evening, I had some extra time, so I wrote down the words and music the Lord had given me. It was pretty well what is now the song “A Radical for Jesus”. This song has sort of become a theme song for me, because it expresses what I find to be true: Jesus gave us radical commands, and because I follow them, I am a radical.

Sheet Music:

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Lyrics

1. I know some people think I’m strange,
Or that I’m radical.
And I know others prob’ ly think
That I’m fanatical.
But my response is simply this:
“My friend, if you are right,
Then I became a radical
By walking in the light.”

Chorus:
Oh, a radical for Jesus
Is what I want to be,
By keeping His commandments,
Obeying faithfully.
For He said if we love Him,
We must keep His commands.
So I will be a radical
While holding Jesus’ hand.

2. Now, some want to be different
For difference’s sake.
They want to go a diff’rent route
Than what all others take.
And though I do not think like them,
I still know that I am
A radical because I follow radical commands.

Chorus
3. Now you may think I’m crazy, or
That I have gone too far.
You don’t want to be different,
You like the way you are.
But when I come to Judgment Day,
I’d rather hear Him say,
“Well done, My good and faithful one”
Than to be turned away.

Chorus

Final Chorus:

Oh, a radical for Jesus
Is what we all should be,
By keeping His commandments,
Obeying faithfully.
For He said if we love Him,
We must keep His commands.
So will you be a radical
While holding Jesus’ hand?