ARE YOU READY FOR A CHRISTIAN REVIVAL?

 WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN REVIVAL? 

Wikipedia says this: "Christian revivalism is increased spiritual interest or renewal in the life of a Christian Church, congregation or society with a local, national or global effect." "Porponents view revivals as the restoration of the church to a vital and fervent relationship with God after a period of moral decline."

From the 17th century until as recently as 2023, Wikipedia documents a long list of events referred to as "revivals." All have some common occurences. Worship, repentence, prayer, preaching and conversions to Christianity continue throughout each event, for as long as each one lasted. Each one, however, eventually ended.

Social media is overflowing with proclamations of coming big events, both judgment from God and a "great awakening" revival. Some visable Christian leaders are almost giddy with their excitement about the possibility of these happenings. Many such leaders are trumpeting the familiar montra, "God told me...." Interestingly, God seems to be telling different people different things, and He appears to be telling only the people with visability!. Contrary to popular Christian church beliefs, Romans 2:11 says there is no partiality with God. Preceding this verse in this chapter, Scriptures refer to both righteous and unrighteous persons. Like it or not, we will all be judged! Unfortunately, we all have sin in our lives!

WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY?

About partiality--Mt 5:45: : .....for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." 

About judgment--1 Pe 4:17: "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"

These Scriptures, among others, make it clear that God treats everyone the same, at lease when it comes to sin! Jesus, in Jn 8:7, said to the Pharisees who brought the woman caught in adultery to Him, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." The accusers all left.

WHAT IS THE COMMON EXPECTATION OF REVIVAL IN THE CHURCH?

You may think differently, but my observation is that beleivers expect all the unbelievers to somehow be magically saved and forgiven their sins when revival comes. We are the saints and everyone different from us are the sinners! God is going to withdraw the freewill given to Adam in the Garden and, somehow, everyone will be compelled to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior! I don't think so!

A couple of years ago, a picture of the leader of a large Christian organization appeared on the cover of a popular Christian magazine with the caption, paraphrased, "we are going to join with another large Christian organization and get a million people praying for revival." The featured leader is now dead and the leader of the other organaization has fallen amid allegations of sin! I don't think God uses a runner's lap counter to determine if enough people have been praying! Most revivals began with only 2 or 3 people with right heart motives joining in prayer.

GETTING READY

I have to say it, by and large the Christian Church has steered awau from the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gospels of politics and religion! We perform to get blessed and the end is justified by the means. Character doesn't matter, as long as we get what we think God wants! We judge ouselves and our "streams" based on our intentions. Everyone else, we judge based on their actions.

Somehow, I don't think revival is going to work this way. Scripture says we will all be judged for our works, good and bad. As stated from Wikipedia in the beginning of this article, revival is renewal in the life of the church. If we are in the church (believers), Scripture says judgment begins in the church. It looks to me like we are first in line! This doesn't make me giddy with exccitement about a coming revival!

Is there no more hope? Certainly not! Jessus is the blessed hope! Our salvation comes from growing closer to Him and seeking to be like Him. If we think we have arrived, or consider ourselves better that everyone else, we certainly are not and have missed the mark!. Revival is NOT a candy store awaiting everyone that names the Name of Jesus. It IS a pathway to the Kingdom of God for those that walk the road! Selah!