Revival
Revival. We hear the word a lot in the religious world. We are told over and over again that we need “revival”. Now I tend to be a bit contrary in my way of thinking. I’m slow to jump on the bandwagon and I tend to prefer to have my OWN bandwagon (preferably without drums unless they are accompanied by bagpipes) than to join in on one that’s headed the wrong direction or is badly out of tune. 
So here’s my thoughts (at least some of them) on the topic of revival.
First, I took a look at Merriam Webster’s online dictionary. It’s a great resource and one I find myself turning to again and again. I just wish I had a copy of one of the old Noah Webster dictionaries printed back in the 19th century as they were not yet full of so much politically correct garbage – but I digress. 
Well, the first thing that jumped off the page at me was this:
Revival:
1 : an act or instance of reviving
Revive
Inflected Form(s): re·vived; re·viv·ingEtymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French revivre, from Latin revivere to live again, from re- + vivere to liveDate: 15th centuryintransitive verb: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing againtransitive verb1 : to restore to consciousness or life
2 : to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state : bring back
3 : to renew in the mind or memory
Well, well, well – NOW we’re getting somewhere. Essentially, “revive” means “to live again”, “to bring back to life”. In other words, to “revive” you have to have lived in the first place. Now, let’s get back to the original idea – what’s with all the talk of “revival”? What do folks mean when they talk about “having a revival” or “we need revival”? All too often they mean that they want to see more folks converted to the Lord. They want to see souls saved. They want to see repentance and turning to God. But all that has to do with NEW life – NOT with RESTORING life! And I, too, am all for it.
Well, ok then. Let’s get out and bring souls to Jesus the Christ! However, let’s not call this “revival” but rather “discipling”. After all, the Lord said “go and make disciples of all nations” and a disciple is one who lives according to the teaching of the Master.
Just fo the record, I AM all in favor of revival in the church. Too many folks have lost their first love. Their relationship with Jesus the Christ is moribund at best. Now THERE’S a real need for revival! So the next time someone says “we need revival”, encourage them. Tell them, “You’re right, brother! Let’s stir up Christ’s Church and help folks to return the New Life that He gave them!” Don’t go beating the bushes, looking for new souls to save, and calling it revival. That, my dear reader, would best be called “vival” since folks outside of Christ had no spiritual life to begin with. Yes, I’m all in favor of evangelism, of bringing new lives into a right relationship with Jesus the Christ. But I’m ALSO in favor of bringing lukewarm christians back to a strong and vibrant life in Jesus once more. If we can truly bring about revival of Christ’s church then evangelism will take care of itself.
Remember, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Jesus Himself setup His church so that the leaders would prepare His people to serve. When the church is alive and vibrant and serving each other and the community around them, the body will automatically be built up.
Posted in