A Christian thought to ponder...
Is the United States in need of a religious revolution? The definition of revolution, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is "a sudden, radical, or complete change." Why would the United States need a religious revolution? There are many reasons this nation is in need of a religious revolution: churches have fallen asleep, churches have allowed the wolves to come in and devour the sheep, a blatant perversion of the Church, a disregard for Scripture, many people have left the Church, and God is being canceled from everything to schools to the workplace. A dark force is trying to destroy the Church and everything it represents. Hate is growing, violence is growing, drug addiction is growing, division is growing, complacency is growing, pride is growing, coldness of heart is growing, and sin is growing.
This nation is in serious trouble, for it has turned its back on God. A revival, a great awakening or a religious revolution is in need. There have been past religious revolutions that have had a profound impact on the Church.
A religious revolution happened when John the Baptist baptized crowds of people in the Jordan River, including Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Luke 3:7 tells how John the Baptist was baptizing multitudes of people, "Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him." John baptized only those who responded to his evangelical message and sincerely repented of their sins. He was a voice crying in the wilderness and paved the way for the coming Messiah. As stated in Luke 1:76-77, he prepared the way for the LORD, “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins." John the Baptist's obedience and calling set the path for a greater revolution that would impact lives of many.
The Greatest Christian revolution happened when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, started his ministry on earth. Prophecies were fulfilled in the Old Testament from when Jesus was born to the time of his death on the cross. Isaiah 7:14 foretells his birth, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Jesus preached and proclaimed the Truth to hundreds. He healed hundreds, performed all sorts of miracles, and died on the cross for the sins of all humankind to save them from the wrath of God. There has been no greater sacrifice or gift to humanity than Jesus giving his life to save us. As it states in John 3:16, whoever believeth in him would not perish but would have everlasting life, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus' message of the Truth has reached millions, and millions of lives have forever changed.
A Christian revolution occurred in the 13th to 16th centuries and was known as the Reformation. In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the All Saints' Church. Many say during this time is when the Protestant Reformation movement had actually begun. The movement revealed that the Catholic Church was heretical and brimming with corruption. During this revolution, many protestants were killed at the hands of the Catholic Church. The blood of martyrs stained the Catholic robes forever, and the Reformation changed many lives.
A Jesus revolution began in the late 1960s and 1970s in California, where Lonnie Frisbee, charismatic, hippy, Pentecostal evangelist, and self-proclaimed prophet, met Chuck Smith, pastor at Calvary Chapel in California. They teamed up and sparked a movement that spread like wildfire across the United States. Thousands of rebellious hippies found love and acceptance in this movement and were born again. Later these hippies were given the title Jesus Freaks. Thousands were baptized in Southern California in the Pacific Ocean at Pirate's Cove Beach in Newport Beach, California. Despite Lonnie's personal struggles, God used him and Chuck Smith to lead hundreds of people to Christ.
As you can see, God has used various people to accomplish His plans throughout the centuries. God can use anyone to accomplish His plans. Perhaps even you. Time is running short. Now is the time to reach out to the lost, broken, and stray and share the Gospel message. It doesn't matter what sins one has committed or whether one is black, white, brown, or yellow, let them know that Jesus loves them. Share the Gospel with family, friends, co-workers, with people within the community, or on social media. Let's start another Jesus Revolution!
Have a blessed week!
Carol
