Revival in the Fervent Love of Christ

Revival in the Fervent Love of Christ

It is always glorious to hear about revival, but the most glorious thing of all is to be in the midst of it. Lately, brother Aslaksen has spoken much about the necessity of being filled with a boiling, reciprocal love for Christ and for each other. This message has brought about revival in Norway and in other countries. Brother Aslaksen discovered that in several translations, as well as in the original text, Revelation 3:16 says, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor boiling, I will spew you out of My mouth.”

Of course this is very serious—and it was said to the angel of the church in Christ; otherwise he could not be spewed out of His mouth. All of us, therefore, need to make sure to get this boiling hot love into our hearts. He who requires that it be there will also more than gladly give it to us. He will pour it out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 5:5. He is much more willing to give the Holy Spirit to us than even parents would be to give bread to their children. Luke 11:13.

We must possess this love if we want to be along when Jesus returns, because without it we are nothing. Then we are like sounding brass or a clanging cymbal in God’s eyes. Then we are disgusting in God’s sight in the midst of serving Him. Christ has sacrificed everything for us. He gave His precious blood to redeem us from sin. We need to understand that we are far from pleasing Him if we are still hanging on to some sin and attempting to please Him with a bit of outward religiosity.

He wants to have our entire heart, and He wants to fill it with the same love with which He loved His heavenly Father and us. Once we have received this love, it is vital that we remain in it, because only in this love do we have the opportunity to grow in everything that is noble and good.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:9-14.

This is without a doubt an exceedingly glorious offer. He will give us the fullness of His love and His joy. Then we will be equipped to meet whatever comes our way, for love is an invincible power! It is as strong as death, and many waters cannot quench it. Song of Sol. 8:6-8. It is no wonder that when we are in this state, He can command us to do things that are absolutely impossible for others to do. He even commands us to love one another as He loved us! We understand that if something this great is possible, then our joy and thankfulness will be correspondingly great, and we will put a great distance between ourselves and the spirit of bondage.

When we read 1 Corinthians 13, we can see the exceedingly great glory that enters our lives through love. Love is longsuffering and kind, it is not envious, does not parade itself, is not puffed up, is not rude, does not seek its own, is not bitter, thinks no evil, and does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails.

We understand that those who possess this love, and faithfully remain in it, are glorious people. They are the saints, the excellent ones in whom Jesus has all His delight. Ps. 16:3. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21.

Paul said, “For the love of Christ constrains us.” 2 Cor. 5:14. This inner, blessed power constrains and compels us to do all the good we can possibly do, right against all our carnal inclinations.

Why doesn’t everyone want to have this glory in their hearts? It is because most people only want to enjoy themselves and not sacrifice. Love is not sweet feelings, but a burning fire against all kinds of egotism, sin, and impurity. Only those who love the truth in their innermost heart partake of it and keep it. They are cleansed and purified as gold and silver in this fire of love.

Soon the five wise and the five foolish virgins will be separated from each other. The time is short and precious, and it is high time to make the right and unqualified choice.

A brave battle is being fought in the homes in the church everywhere to get the children to be along in the revival. In some cases it succeeds easily and quickly, and in other cases it is more difficult and takes more time. It is important to assist each other in the battle in all humility. We are living in the last and most difficult times; however, we have the best possibility in this fervent love of Christ, and in this love we believe and hope and will not be put to shame.