Mary: A Model of Radical FaithNäide

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

While Mary's statement looks like a simple proclamation of faith, radical faith was at work. I can imagine that Mary knew what was at stake for her socially, yet she chose submission and aligned her words with God’s Word concerning her. Mary put her life on the line. Pregnancy outside wedlock was shameful, and it meant she would probably be stoned to death if Joseph publicly put her away. Mary’s kind of faith could have subjected her to mockery, but she didn’t care.

Living by faith looks ridiculous most times. Radical faith is costly and sacrificial. Many may call us stupid for daring to believe in the virgin birth, but it shouldn’t move us because we are blessed despite the insult (Matthew 5:11).

Faith in God does not always make sense to the natural mind, but it makes sense to the supernatural mind. 1 Cor. 2:14 (KJV) says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

It takes radical faith to trust in a God we have not seen. We can use the same faith to do the works God has commanded us to do- Preach the kingdom of heaven,  heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, and freely give (Matthew 10:7-10).