Every day as I look around, I feel as though the world is becoming more seeped in sin than I have ever seen it. According to Ecclesiastes 1:9 “what has been - will be again, what has been done - will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun.” In the Old Testament, they were faced with some of the same sinful behavior we face today. What saddens me the most in today’s society is not only is sin being accepted as the norm, but it is being promoted and encouraged starting at very young ages. We know that God has allowed Satan power in our current world but his power is limited and always under the control of God—Satan is constantly on the prowl to devour the lost. We are in a very real spiritual battle for the souls of the people around us every single day.
So….do we need a revival in the church today? The No. 1 answer would be….ABSOLUTELY!!
If we are to be “revival people”, we will be people living with one goal in our lives—to make a difference for Jesus in this world. We will have a re-awakening of intense passion for Jesus, we will have a love and compassion deeper than we have ever felt before for the lost, and we will have a fire in our souls that will make it impossible for us not to tell people about the love, mercy, grace and salvation that is available to them through our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
If we truly want to make an impact for Jesus in this world in which He has placed us, we must take an honest look at our own lives and ask God to reveal to us what might be standing in the way of a full-fledged revival in our lives. Then, ask God’s forgiveness and begin praying…. God let there be a revival in Your Church…and let it begin with me.
Where do we begin to make a difference in the world? We go directly to God’s Word! I love the “blueprint” for a life set apart for Jesus, that is laid out in Romans 12: 1 – 2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy (it is the basis of everything we do for God), to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice (living every day as an offering and in service to the Lord), holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world (live your life by what God’s Word says is right – not by what the world says is right) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (being changed from the inside out by reading and applying God’s Word so that people see Jesus in you). Then you will be able to test and approve (understand and discern) what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Today, those who claim to be Christians engage in activities that aren’t pleasing to God, have negative and critical attitudes, display apathy and unconcern for the lost around them, bicker among themselves, are impatient at every turn, prideful, selfish, and live with no joy and without hope. They go to church but do not serve God. In other words, they live as though God has made no difference in their lives.
What would a true revival in the lives of Christians look like to the world around us? A true revival would show the world the godly characteristics that are spoken about in Romans 12: 9-18 & 21: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil - but overcome evil with good.”
I pray that you don’t feel like I am “beating up” the church, but I feel so strongly that our time is short and we can’t waste any more time “playing Christian.” We must accept the call to action that Jesus has given us – to “Go into all the world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mark 16:15). We must begin immediately loving our world to Jesus. Our testimony about having Jesus in our lives must match the lives that we are displaying to those around us.
Begin today to live a life of revival by:
- Loving everyone sincerely – without expecting anything in return.
- Hating what is sinful– not the sinner – but the sin that controls their life. Do not overlook the sin in the world and become complacent - but stand firm against what God’s Word says is sin.
- Putting others before ourselves and be devoted to loving them with Christ’s love – whether we believe they deserve it or not – never forgetting that we too are sinners saved by grace.
- Being full of zeal (passion, enthusiasm) for serving the Lord - keeping that spiritual fire in our souls.
- Being joyful in our attitudes and our outlook because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
- Displaying unlimited patience and unwavering trust in God when afflictions and hard times come our way.
- Embracing everyone – even our enemies with God’s love, mercy and grace.
- Living in harmony – not at odds with those around us – especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.
You can accept this Revival Mission starting today by:
“Loving the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12: 30-31).
SO WHAT WILL IT BE…….WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS MISSION?