It was into the home that sin first came. It is in the home that revival first needs to come. Revival is desperately needed in the church . . . in the country . . . in the world; but a revived church with unrevived homes would be sheer hypocrisy. It is the hardest place, the most costly, but the most necessary place to begin.

But before we go on, let us remind ourselves again of what revival really is. It simply means a new life in hearts where the spiritual life has ebbed--but not a new life of self-effort or self-initiated activity. It is not man's life, but God's life, the life of Jesus filling us and flowing through us. That life is manifested in fellowship and oneness with those with whom we live -- nothing between us and God, and nothing between us and others. The home is the place, before all others, where this should be experienced.

But how different is the experience of so many of us professing Christians in our homes -- little irritations, frayed tempers, selfishness and resentments; and even where there is nothing very definitely wrong between us, just not that complete oneness and fellowship that ought to characterize Christians living together. All the things that come between us and others come between us and God and spoil our fellowship with Him, so that our hearts are not overflowing with divine life.

Adapted from Roy Hession, "The Calvary Road" (Christian Literature Crusade, 1980)

Making it Personal: What Would We Find in a "Revived" Home?

1. Spiritual openness. Do I freely express what is happening in my life spiritually -- positive or negative -- to my family members? Do I feel comfortable having spiritual discussions with them?

2. Genuineness. Often we can't discuss spiritual ideas in our home because we know it would make us look like hypocrites -- after all, the people that live with us know us best. Can my family see that my commitment to Christianity is genuine?

3. Selflessness. Yielding our rights -- our right to be alone, our right to spend money our own way, our right for peace and quiet, our right to choose spend time according to our own wishes, and countless other "rights" we claim as our own -- is an essential part of a family atmosphere that reflects the glory of Christ. Have I exhibited patience and selflessness with my spouse and children?

4. Mission. God established family relationships to help us fulfill the purpose of our lives -- to love and glorify God. Does your family have a sense of "mission" or "purpose" as you live together? As a couple or family, do you serve Christ, take on spiritual projects, and have a sense of overall destiny?

Devotional Reflections:

1 Timothy 3:4-5

(Access the Bible Online)