I’ve long been fascinated by the straight edge movement. Here’s a group of radical, uncompromising teens and twenty-somethings, although some are obviously older now, who live with a self-imposed standard of physical purity. No drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco. The idea was apparently conceived out of abhorence for the self-destructive behavior normally associated with the punk scene.
What’s interesting to me is that these people live this sort of uncompromising life with relatively little higher purpose, other than brotherhood and good music. I tell you the truth, if I could get my hands on some Christian teens who are willing to dedicate themselves to this type of purity and devotion, mix in a little prayer and fasting, we could raise up an army that would totally revolutionize the culture of our country.
In my opinion, the straight edgers have several character traits that are in high demand in the kingdom. They display a tenacity, energy, and focused devotion that put most of us to shame. They obviously have no problem living according to a moral code. They live more righteously than most christians I know. They major in brotherly love, at least towards other straight edgers. Two thousand years later, the church is still working on that one.
My question has always been, “Why aren’t these people part of the kingdom?” I think it’s a natural progression for people of such radical purity to wonder about God. If straight edgers ever got ahold of the kingdom message, their radically pure and devoted lifestyle would yeild to them power to perform signs, wonders, miracles, and to do exploits for the Kingdom. So, how have we failed to bring them in?
Simple. The church has offered a pre-packaged form of godliness totally lacking in power and relevance to these people, and straight edgers have seen right through the facade. We can’t expect to conform them to our version of “church.” They simply will not wear shirt and tie to church on Sunday morning and coexist. They are radical, and they need a radical expression of worship.
I’ve been weeping in prayer for these young people all night. I see such potential in them, and yet they live in a counterfeit form of righteousness. I pray that the Lord would draw them to this post, and that those who come here would have the courage to ask the question, “Is there something more beyond self-discipline?”
