Monday,
March 23, 2026
DO YOU NEED A REDUX?
Rev 2:4-5
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and
do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
The word redux
(pronounced re-ducks) is from the Latin and means “to lead
back.” The Roman Goddess, Fortuna Redux was "one who brings another safely
home." But it was the "brought back" meaning that made its way
into English.
The Ephesian church had forgotten and abandoned their first love of Jesus. This required
repentance and a redux! They needed to be led back again to a fresh start. The
consequence was the loss of their light or messenger. Perhaps we need a redux
as well.
Revivals have fallen
out of favor because they are viewed as moldy
tents hastily erected upon soggy soil with dim electric lights encircled by
bugs. The preaching is viewed as unlearned and harsh. Notwithstanding it is
revival that our churches and our culture needs.
Why, even our own government is long overdue for a redux. When Australia's
government shut down in 1975, Queen Elizabeth II's official representative in
Australia, Governor General Sir John Kerr, simply dismissed the prime minister.
He appointed a replacement, who immediately passed the spending bill to fund
the government. Three hours later, Kerr dismissed the rest of Parliament. Then
Australia held elections to restart from scratch. And they
haven't had another shutdown since.
When unredeemed
people assemble to worship a God with whom
they are unacquainted and unfamiliar, the result can only be hypocrisy. Shame
and sincere grief because of sin is conspicuously absent from modern worship.
King David, in sackcloth and ashes, would be a stranger.
Dear Lamb of God let me remember our first love and ever fan the flames
of it in my heart. AMEN
