When I say that “I am ‘old school’” I am referring to “Bible Belt” evangelicalism expressed in revivals, personal evangelism, church growth, and the invitation. This is mostly a memory to those of us born before 2000 AD.

Today, I have this question, “Just where is the evangelical movement headed?” Can the folks who occupy local churches help themselves? Not if there is no recognition of the “Presence of God before we get there,” and not if ‘the fear of offending anyone in the community’ is not resolved. Paul said this in Acts 17:22-30, “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” The ‘Call to Repentance’ is seldom heard from pulpits today.

Only a Spirit-born revival can save us from the surrounding darkness enveloping the local church. What I do know is simple, Christ and his Body are alive and well. However, the local church is contaminated with fear that is not a part of the Body.

For some years an odd fear has crept into the heart of local church life eliminating the powerful moment of “Just As I Am.” We once called for lost sinners to “step forward and pray to receive the gift of salvation found in the Risen Savior.” This has been replaced with, “If you want to talk, one of our staff will meet you in the welcome area after the service.”

 What we know as salvation is demonstrated in a new life of sanctification produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer. We find this in Galatians 5:22-26, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” HCSB. This is the evidence of the reality of saving faith.

Jesus is Lord.