Revival and reformation have become such familiar words in the church in recent years, although they have been experienced for centuries.  Sometimes when something become too familiar, it loses its impact.  What exactly do we mean when we pray for revival?

What does reformation really look like?

I have been reading A River of Grace - A Story of John Calvin* with my sons.  One story in particular left me speachless.  I would like to submit this as an example of what we should expect to happen through us as we become the Bride Christ intends us to be.

As background, the Catholic church at this time had descended into a pit of manipulation and control by greedy leaders, keeping the common man in the dark by not allowing them to read or study the Bible for themselves.  Spiritual life consisted of traditions and laws which kept men in guilt and bondage.  Any convictions against the regulations of the Church were quickly punished, many times with death.

John Calvin and William Farel were part of a large gathering between Catholic and Protestant leaders around 1540.  This debate would determine the fate of Lausanne, Switzerland - whether this city would follow the traditions of the Catholic church, or would release the Word of God to all men and teach salvation by grace through faith in Christ.

On the fourth day of the debate, a Catholic scholar by the name of Mimard declared that the Reformers were teaching the Lord's Supper in a way that went against the Bible and the early Church father, Augustine.  Although he had remained silent, letting Farel defend the truths of the Bible the first three days, John now rose slowly to his feet to speak for the Reformers.

"John began to quote large sections of Augustine's writings from memory.  The audience stopped their whisperings.  In amazed silence they hung on John 's every word.  He not only quoted from Augustine, but from other early Church leaders.  He also quoted from the Bible.

"He turned to his audience.  All shyness disappeared.  "Judge for yourselves whether we are hostile to the Bible and the church fathers who knew it so well.....We confess our faith based on Holy Scriptures, without any additions from human wisdom.

"....As John sat down, the audience remained in stunned silence.  The learned priests exchanged worried glances.  None of them could attack John Calvin's words.  He knew too much.

"Suddenly, a Franciscan friar stood up.  The people recognized him at once as Jean Tandy, one of the most outspoken opponents to the  "New Faith."  Today he was not the self-assured preacher who eloquently persuaded his congregation to stay with Mother Church.

" 'My friends,' he began in a voice choked with emotion.  'It is a sin to stubbornly rebel against the clear truth.  I confess that I am guilty, because I have ignorantly lived in error and taught you lies.  I ask God's forgiveness for everything I have wrongly taught, and I ask you to forgive me, too.  I hereby defrock myself so that I may follow Christ and the truth of the Bible alone.

"The audience was in an uproar.  Within twenty-four hours, all the houses of sin had been closed in Lausanne.  In the next few months, a growing number of the clergy converted to the "New Faith."  Mimard, himself, became a Christian.  When the time came for the citizens to vote, they overwhelmingly chose to become a Reformed city."

How did this 180 degree turn-about come to an entire city?  What so captured the hearts of the people that they were stunned into silence and compelled to change?

For weeks, months, and years before, men and women gave their lives and hearts completely to the truth, allowing God to do whatever it took in them so as to reveal His presence through them.  They endured hardships and persecutions, watching friends and family put to death because of a passion for their Savior and King.  As a result, His glory poured forth from them, leaving on-lookers hungry and thirsty for nothing less than the reality of God's Spirit and truth.

Again, we are in a time and place where many have laid their lives down before God's throne in passion and honesty, seeking only the truth and Spirit.  And again we are beginning to see opponents of the Gospel stunned into silence, leaving all to follow Christ.

Your heart of devotion and obedience is not in vain.

Who knows but God how many people have come near to you and have been convicted simply by the fragrance of your love? 

Who knows but God if He will put you before kings and leaders to speak the truth, redirecting the future of nations?

Who knows when that small crack in the dam of our ememy's plans will give way and God's glory will truly cover the earth as the sea?

Do not become distracted or discouraged by the death around you.  Death must always give way when the life of Christ enters the picture.

"Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?"

(John 11:40)

No one keeps a promise better than our God!