This is a clarion call to all Christians all over the world to wake up from their spiritual slumber; especially, Christian denominational (Catholic, Protestants, Orthodox, Evangelical etc.) leaders who are twisting the word of God to conform to the norms of the world. There is the need to unite once again and win this world for Christ. There is the need for revival and the revival should start from within individual Christians. The world cannot have peace until Christians go out there to let the world know the will of God for their existence through a sincere display of their faith and their conversation.
Many Christians are not living up to God’s standard expected of them. This shortfall does not encourage unbelievers to follow the Christian way of life. As a Christian, you need to live as an ensample to people of the world; this is the only way you can influence and win souls for Christ.
Christians are salts and light to the world
The Bible says,
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt.5:13-16)
Christians are the light and salt of the world; however, most Christians are not shining neither are they seasoning as expected.
Are there more virgin lands to discover on earth? Are there new places the gospel has not been preached? Or are there places to preach the gospel anew? What we need is to profess everywhere what we have confessed. If it must be meaningful to the unbelievers and to retain those that have believed. If Christianity must grow, Christians must follow apostolic doctrines.
Though certain changes (civilization, culture, custom, technology etc.) have occurred because the world is changing every day; however, the core believes, and principles of Christianity has not change. Truth will always be truth; Sin will always be sin; ungodliness cannot replace godliness; unholy living cannot replace holiness; neither can worldliness be the same as “thy will be done on earth as it is heaven”.
It is time for global revival
What we need now is revival for the resurgence and regeneration of moral and spiritual values that have deteriorated; thus, causing many social ills that drifted people away from reliance on God to self-independence. Christianity is now more inclining to ideology and social norms than being spiritual. This is having a negative effect on Christianity. Many Christians, especially, youths from Christian homes are sliding away from the faith. Why? Many so-called men of God in our churches today are “Mix-multitudes”. How? They polluted the word of God and they have turned their churches to social clubhouses where all kinds of sins and immoralities are accepted. They have turned the church of God to an avenue for making money and neglected the preaching of truth and holiness. They are populating their churches for their wallet instead of populating the Kingdom of God.
The need for revival is not new; it is a recurrent event from age to age at the beginning of every century. This is the time for it again.
The word of Isaiah to the children of Judah and Jerusalem in those days is applicable to this 21st century Christianity, it says, “Come now, and let us reason together…” (Is. 1:18). Christians must put away their self-created differences and be in one accord: rooted and grounded in the word of God. The time is ripe for another revival.
The world needs healing
The scripture states,
“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Ps.107:20).
The truth of the word of God has the solution to the problems in the world. The truth must be preached, starting from the church. Christians need to return to their God. If Christianity continues in this sluggish manner where truth and core principles are neglected, then they are losing the world to the opposition.
Nondenominational and non-sectarian revival is needed
The type of revival needed among Christians now should be nondenominational and non-sectarian, but a wholesome body of Christ. The scripture stated,
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many” (1Cor. 12:12-14).
There is the need for another “Great Revival” like that of the early 20th century. There is the need to spark for more power from above and a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Every Christian should be intensely involved in this revival. Every Christian needs to study the Bible more than listening only to a Minister’s sermon. I am not saying you should not have a church where you worship or neglect the congregation of the children of God. But do not be deceived by some so-called false ministers that establishes today’s churches; falsely claiming that they have a calling.
However, the type of revival we need should promote nondenominational and non-sectarian Christianity.
Our Lord Jesus said,
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house will fall” (Luke 11:17).
Many believers and potential believers have been lost to the opposition because they were tired of the division and hypocrisy going on among Christians. Are we not one in Christ? A branch of the one Olive tree? The greediness of our leaders is tearing us apart every day. Enemies of Christianity are happy that we are not united. Christians are to be one in the spirit, it is our duty to keep that unity.
Our way of life should reflect someone possessing the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal. 5:22). These we must display while carrying out the great commission – preaching the gospel to the whole world.
Let us rekindle the flame of that great revival again. Together in Christ, we shall shake and revive the world from moral and spiritual decadence and save the world from the power of darkness and wickedness represented and seen among evil leaders in the society.
Let’s have a revival and let it begin within you.
Lawrence Abitogun (Elder)
lawrenceabitogun.com OR christianedification.org