What Our Country Needs the Most
What is the greatest need in our country today? Vance Havner, evangelist and author of “The Secret of Christian Joy” once said, “The greatest need of America is an old-fashioned, heaven-born, God-sent revival.”
This kind of revival isn’t about emotional meetings or momentary inspiration. According to 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, it’s a transformative movement of the Holy Spirit that starts in the Church and spreads outward.
What is Revival?
Revival is a dramatic increase in spiritual life among God’s people, accompanied by a deep awareness of His presence, intensified prayer, conviction of sin, and a passionate desire for holiness. True revival isn’t sparked by social change or political reform, but by the Church–individual believers–turning back to God.
How Does Revival Happen?
In 2 Corinthians 3:16, Paul writes, “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” This references the veil that Moses wore after encountering God’s glory in Exodus. Today, we all have veils—distractions and sin that keep us from seeing God clearly. Revival begins when we turn to the Lord in repentance, and He removes the veil, allowing us to experience His Spirit.
This act of turning is crucial. It’s our responsibility to shift our focus to God, and when we do, He meets us there, removing whatever is blocking our view of Him. It’s not just a momentary glance; it’s a deliberate, ongoing turning of our hearts toward Him.
The Freedom of the Spirit
Verse 17 declares, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This isn’t just freedom from sin; it’s freedom to live as God intended: abundantly. (John 10:10) When the veil is lifted, we are no longer bound by fear, insecurity, or selfishness. Instead, we’re free to love more deeply, live more boldly, and reflect God’s glory by allowing Him to transform our attitudes and actions.
We Drift Towards What We Focus On
In verse 18, Paul reminds us that as we contemplate (the Greek word here means both to ponder on and reflection of) the Lord’s glory, we are “transformed into His image.” In other words, we become what we behold. If we fix our eyes on Jesus, we begin to reflect His character and love. Like a NASCAR driver who focuses on what’s ahead, we must fix our eyes on Christ and trust the Holy Spirit—our spotter—to keep us on course. Looking left or right only leads to distraction and danger.
What America Needs
It’s not this candidate or that candidate, it’s a gospel-centered movement. And it starts with the Church getting on their knees, turning away from the sins of our culture, seeking the Lord, and interceding on behalf of our communities.
When we focus on God’s glory, His glory shines down on us and into the lives of those around us.
America needs to know true freedom doesn’t come from a bill of rights, public policy, or the right person elected as president. It comes from dwelling in the Spirit of the Lord. But the only way our fellow countrymen and women are going to learn this is if we, as believers, are living it.
This post is inspired by message three of our “Awakening” sermon series, entitled “Lifting the Veil” by Dr. Jody Ray.