Revival of Love: Call to Revival
Over the last few months, the Lord has taken me back to a word He stirred within my heart some years ago, which is a “call to revival.” In modern times, the word revival is often associated with special church events or a series of services featuring a guest speaker. In the past, these meetings were sometimes weeks long and extended late into the night. Those were, no doubt, wonderful times, but that is not the call I sense in my spirit.
The word "revival" refers to an improvement in condition, according to common dictionaries. That applies in part, as we need an improvement in the condition and strength of our world, and dare I say, our churches. Biblically and in the church world, we know the word speaks of a reawakening of religious fervor or passion. When we look even deeper, the meaning becomes even more powerful. The root of the word revival comes from the Latin word vivere, meaning to live. It is joined with the prefix re, meaning again, and the suffix al, meaning the act of. Together, they give us a beautiful definition: the act of living again, or being brought back to life, to 're-live.'
There is certainly a need in His Bride's rekindled passion and commitment to our Savior and His Body, and it is worth discussing, but I am speaking of a reviving of something that is far greater, less common, and much simpler at its core. In our common use of the term' revival,' we are speaking in a context that says we are waiting on the Holy Spirit to move, and we are inactive until He does.
The revival call I am sensing is not one we are to wait on, but one we are pursuing in our everyday activities. This kind of renewal is what the Apostle Paul described as more important than powerful prophecies or even words spoken by angels. He wrote that it matters more than knowledge. To top it off, he said it was more important than the kind of faith that moved mountains. That should get our attention. Paul was not alone. Jesus said this call for revival I am speaking was the way people would know you and me are His followers.
Are you hooked yet? Are you thinking this sounds important? I hope so. But let me warn you, it is not emotionally exciting or dramatic. It does not produce a shout or a dance. We need a revival for our whole being, and in the most spiritual way. However, the call to revival I am asking you to step into is a Revival of Love.
If love is the mark by which we are recognized, if it surpasses spiritual gifts, knowledge, or powerful experiences, then it must become our goal. Remember, Paul said all these other spiritual experiences are nothing more than clanging symbols, simply noise. Will you join me in pursuing a Revival of Love? We do not have to compromise the Word of God or the standard of holiness to love one another. Let us become His Bride, inside and outside the building, so filled with love that our connection to Jesus is undeniable, because "they will know you by how you love one another" (John 13:35).
We will keep pursuing this and having this conversation, but for now, I encourage you to ask for God's Nature to shine through you.
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