The True Revolution

 

Write From My Heart / September 11, 2020 / The Real Revolution

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  

Revelation 21:5 (KJV)

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

            We all recognize that words change over time, sometimes vastly different in meaning, sometimes only slightly varied. When the word revolution comes to mind, we might first think of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), also known as the American War of Independence by the original 13 colonies against the rulership of Great Britain as direct result of excessive taxation and lack of representation. [That’s your bonus history synopsis for the day.] However, the word revolution might make you think of how the invention of the tin can revolutionized food preservation, how t.v. dinners (remember those?) revolutionized meal prep, or how the microwave revolutionized cooking time. The point is, whenever man attempts revolution (e.g., sudden, radical, fundamental change) it is almost always based upon prior knowledge man has in order to effect a change in something. Man’s attempts at revolution are mostly external reactions to something perceived as needing change. We don’t like it—so we change it. We think it could be better—so we change it. I am beginning to understand that God’s concept of revolution is significantly different, and I am thankful beyond words that it is.

            Only God can cause true revolution because true revolution comes from within. It is not just an external reaction to cause some amount of change to take place. Let me see if I can explain this a little better. Since the moment man chose to follow creation instead of the Creator, the very nature of man has been marred by sin. When we accept Christ as our Savior, our old sinful nature dies. In that moment of salvation, our old sinful nature doesn’t exist anymore (unless we let is seep back in at some later point). We are totally and completely forgiven and God causes a new revolution within us, a new life in Christ.

The statement “I make all things new,” can only be said by God alone, Creator, Redeemer, for only he can create (new life in Christ) out of nothing (death to sin). When our sinful nature dies, we are nothing until God lovingly creates something new out of our old mess which is completely gone, forgiven, and doesn’t exist anymore. We are revolutionized from within our very core. We are suddenly, radically, and fundamentally changed—and our life focus then becomes staying true to the will of God and his plans for our new life in Christ.

We can look another step deeper. Since the first self-centered choice leading to sin, all became marred—human life, animal life, plant life—the entire world as we know it. There will be a new revolution day coming. It is the blessed hope of all who believe in Christ that one day he will return. In this present time, we have the choice for personal revolution when we accept Christ. On that coming day, even the earth itself, corrupted by the sinful nature of man—along with everything in it and on it—will be destroyed. Then true revolution will occur. It will not be a matter of just externally fixing up or patching up the old earth. The Bible clearly tells us ALL will be newly created by God, for only Creator God alone can make something new out of what no longer exists.

2 Peter 3:12-13 (NIV)

That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

            If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, if you have died to the old sinful nature—you are a new creation—you have a new life in Christ! You have experienced true revolution from within than can only be made possible by a gracious and loving Creator God. You can now look forward with peace and joy to the Blessed Hope of the return of Christ. You have a new goal: 

2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV)

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.