A Vision for Revival

2021-02-27

How could there be revival in our lifetime? I do not have an answer for sure, but I have ideas of what the real problem is and what we falsely blame as problems. For the short answer, the real problem is me and others like me. I will return to the real problem, but first I will address the impostor problems.

The first pseudo-problem is political leaders and government. I have heard from other people, “If only we could elect the right leaders into office, we would turn our country around.” What were the political beliefs of the first century Christians? Their adversaries said this: “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus” (Acts 17:6-7). The kingdom of Christ is entirely disparate and “wholly other” from the world’s political system. We are not dependent on them at all. They are not potential allies, for the Scriptures say, “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ” (Acts 4:26). Tertullian said, “The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Even in the darkest night for Christ’s kingdom, the Spirit marches on. Opt out of the hopelessness of worldly political discourse. If we ever get Christians as political leaders, great. But do not count on it.

The second pseudo-problem is money. We say, if only we had the money, we could support more missionaries and create new ministries. But Peter told the lame man in the temple, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). I am not talking about miracles here. My main point is that we can do things in the name of Christ and not have a red cent in our name. This is not to say that giving is not important. There is a place for giving and finances. However, if Christians lost all their rights to property and finances tomorrow, the Great Commission does not change, and the church will not cease to exist.

The third pseudo-problem is church leadership. I have heard said that America’s problems are really in the pulpit. We may say that they compromise and not preach against specific sins, for example. That may be the case in some places, for the Scriptures even say that there are compromisers: “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10). However, our pastors bear burdens on their shoulders that many of the pew-sitters know nothing about. They are stretched too thin and are expected to do everything. Therefore, the pastors are not the real problem either.

The problem is with the regular Joes out there like me. We get so occupied with the wood, hay, and stubble that will all disappear one day. The work never gets done because the laborers are few. However, if you are a Christian like me, these things are true:

  1. We have the same Holy Spirit that our pastors have, as well as the Twelve and the Apostle Paul had.
  2. The commandments of the Lord given to the first century Christians are the same that we have today.
  3. Prayer works the same way as it did in the first century.
  4. Scripture reading is even better than what those in the first century had. We have a completed New Testament, our paper lasts longer (and we have electronically stored copies and the printing press), and our literacy rate is far better than it was then. No toting scrolls around required.
  5. The church is the pillar and ground for truth, and not non-profits and schools. And we are the church... the church is not buildings, ethereal corporations, or people “out there somewhere.”
  6. Not having the gift of evangelism does not preclude people like me from sharing the Gospel.
  7. We need each other in carrying out the commandments of evangelism and discipleship.

I am sure this is not a complete list. However, somewhere, sometime, some way, we need to start thinking way bigger than we do right now. The main problem is that we think too small about what God can do. We think we do not have the ability to do the Lord’s work, and while that is true (it is the Lord’s work, remember), we resign to the fact that we are not gifted in such a way or think that it is not our job. We say, I am not smart enough, outgoing enough, attractive enough, etc... Amen, for the Lord says, “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29).

Does anybody get tired for living this world? Does anybody get tired of going through the motions? We do not need the title of pastor. We do not need to get chills during some service somewhere. We need to act on what we already know from what the Lord has commanded. If we do not share the Gospel, make disciples, and be the light in the world that is needed, then who is going to do it?