DO YOU NEED A REDUX?

 

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