We were in a church service some years ago in which the pastor exhorted his congregation to seek revival for the simple reason that "if we don't get on fire for God, God is liable to grant revival to some other church."
It would be difficult to find a premise more variant to divine will than that in which the extension of divine grace to other believers is deemed objectionable, presumably because such would be deemed a denial of our own quest for preeminence and spiritual superiority. Unfortunately, such spirit is not always difficult to ascertain within other church related settings as well.
Nor does Scripture lack for mention of similar attitude and pursuit. Both Mark and Luke note that on one occasion the Disciples sought to stymie the ministry of another exercising a successful ministry of exorcism in Jesus' name. "We forbade him," John explained, "because he was not following us." Jesus' response was the injunction to "hinder him not... because he who is not against us is for us" (Mark 9:38-40; Luke 9:49-50).
But to a more positive note: We also recall another pastor who shared that he had once passionately advised the Lord that revival represented the most fervent desire of his heart. At this point, he recounted, it was as though the Lord replied, "You won't mind, then, if I send it through the church down the road, will you?" It opened his eyes.
As previously observed, we are gratified for the growing sense of urgency relative to revival within the Church - and in consequence, our nation at large. Such constitutes a vital need. We do, however, find it rather disquieting on occasion to detect what would seem a somewhat sectarian cast in relation to such interests. "How," the questioning goes, "can we see a re-igniting of spiritual fervor and dynamic within the churches of our particular fellowship or identity?
On the other hand, we are again gratified to witness those seeking revival within their particular spheres of endeavor, not merely in the interests of a self-focused enounter with divine grace and revitalization, but that they might themselves become instruments of that grace in relation to the larger community of faith - including the "church down the road."
Herein is reflected the perspective of our Lord who has only "one body" (Eph. 4:4-6). He does not make the distinctions to which we are sometimes so determinedly commited.
Burl Ratzsch
