The headline was staggering in its claim. It reported that revival had swept through a church in Ohio but as I read the article under the headline, I was deeply disappointed. The “revival” was described in terms of increased activity among church members and expanded ventures in ministry. In my reading of the article I saw not one mention of repentance and only one instance of any of people being converted: a group of children during Vacation Bible School.
I don’t want to discount childhood conversion nor spurn the idea that God saves some children through the ministry of Vacation Bible School, but I have to admit I am skeptical. I am skeptical because of so much I have seen taking place in terms of presenting the gospel to children (and adults!). There is such a rush to decision these days. So little time is given to discern if God is truly working in the heart. Church membership rolls are filled with such decisions, with those who have been too hastily run through the mill of man-centered evangelism.
Can we rightly claim that revival has come under such circumstances? When we see no evidence of repentance among Christian people, can we say that revival has come? In his book, Pentecost Today Iain Murray says six things occur in true revival: 1) restored faith in God’s Word, 2) restored meaning to the term “Christian”, 3) swift advance of the gospel, 4) moral impact on communities, 5) transformed understanding of Christian ministry and 6) transformed public worship of the church.
I hope you are longing and praying for revival, true God-wrought revival. But be sure of this: when our Lord is pleased to send that revival, it will not be measured by the addition of a few programs to our already over-programmed churches. It will be measured by the glorious display of God’s power to convert sinners, renew churches and transform entire communities. Revive us again!
1 comment:
AMEN BROTHER! It is encouraging to see you post about this, especially since it's almost VBS time again. My husband and I are currently serving at a church and we are seeing so many children, very young children baptized. We actually had this very conversation tonight because the message was very easy believism and I worry that people are being deceived. When I mention this to anyone at our church that I want to wait for my children to be older to be baptized (possibly teens) they look at me as if I don't love my children. The ironic thing is that because I DO love them I want to wait to be sure they understand true repentance, and the atoning work of Christ. You know Pulpit Magazine had an article that talked about they wait until they are middle school typically to baptize. Also, have you read the book by Ray Comfort, "How to bring your children to Christ and keep them there."? Excellent book which addresses this very topic.
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