The Road to Revival

Matt 6:33-34 --But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

A couple of years ago, I heard about and read a prayer from Pastor Joe Wright of the Central Christian Church, in Wichita before legislators in the Kansas House of Representatives. Most of us have read this prayer and applauded, but when I thought about it today I realized it would be good to hear it again. Read this carefully.

• "We confess we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."

It’s sad to report that everything is said is correct. We have slouched, slithered, and succumb into a characterless society. Our collective conscience is no longer pricked by the actions of our society. It’s time that we (not someone else) steps onto the path toward revival.

Remember, before revival is corporate, it must be personal. Revival will not begin with others it must begin in me. I encourage you to join me on the Road to Revival. First, acknowledge to God that you are dirty. The question of our condition before God is not, “How good am I?” rather it is “”How good I’m not!” Until we confess to God that we have individually failed miserably before Him, revival is not possible. With this acknowledgment must come repentance – a change of mind and a change of direction with your life. Remember, you can’t stay where you are and go with God.

Second, move out of the position of thinking, “I will do better.” Admit, that you are where you are spiritually because you have “done the best you can.” In your open humility before the Lord, acknowledge that you are utterly dependant upon Him for empowerment to do His will. Reading the Bible, praying, and attending church regularly will not make you “a better person.” Only the transformational power of Jesus Christ will draw you into a closer and more intimate relationship with Him. Once this happens, the activities will follow.

Thirdly, accept God’s grace and forgiveness in the light of your honest confession and repentance. Refuse to spend time listening to the “accuser of the brethren” as he constantly reminds you how much you have failed. Live your life, empowered by God in the light of His constant love. I am convinced that only through personal revival will the moral consciousness of our society be corrected. Jesus is the only hope for our world.