Revival

I was just reading on a news website about Alabama planning to legalize video bingo. In the back of my mind I can immediately hear the sound of gasps and oh no’s in the traditional churches. How could we have come so far to allow this in our state? Oh the horror of it, legalized gambling.


Jesus didn’t say go ye into all the world and make a bunch of laws against everything you think is bad for you. Jesus was not a control freak. In fact he even gave a free will to choose. Why would he gave you that ability and then not allow you to use it? He wants you to choose. He wants you to choose to believe He is God and that He came to save you from your sins. You could make all the laws you want but that is not going to save you from sin nor will it make you holy. That was part of the original problem. God gave us a perfect set of laws but we couldn't keep them. We need His help to do what He wants us to do.


Jesus did say to the disciples "go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them the things I have taught you", things such as faith, love, hope and internal holiness. Jesus’ plan was to change people from the inside out, not make a bunch of laws.


I’m often reminded of the Welch Revival in the early 1900’s. From the Welch Revival website:

“People were changed in so many ways. The crime rate dropped, drunkards were reformed, pubs reported losses in trade. Bad language disappeared and never returned to the lips of many – it was reported that the pit ponies failed to understand their born again colliers who seemed to speak the new language of Zion – without curse and blasphemy – even football and rugby became uninteresting in the light of new joy and direction received by the Converts.”

When real revival comes there is no need for laws against gambling, drinking or cursing. Men change inwardly and the behavior is changed outwardly. Bars will close, gambling establishments will lose money and crime rates will go down. Real revival comes with the power of God. In all true revivals there was a demonstration of God's power that draws men to Him. There is a hunger for that power. People want to change. People want change in their lives. They just don't have the power to do it. God has the power. You just have to want Him to show up.


America needs to do several things: Get a real hunger for God and a hunger for revival. Be willing to accept whatever God does and how He does it. Then obey the last thing Jesus ever said on earth. Go, baptized and teach. Go with the fire of revival. Baptize all who will believe and teach everyone about the wonders of God. Forget the law thing. It all about the heart thing.




Nubby