But the most interesting sight for me had nothing to do with the political upheaval in the nation. It was an old Presbyterian church. As we passed the church, a pastor friend began to tell about an Irish evangelist, named W.P. Nicholson who lived during the early part of the century. When he preached a meeting in that church, the crowds were so large the building wouldn't hold the people. The pastor said that the old timers in town spoke of a great revival that took place.

I asked the pastor, "What was the chief characteristic of that revival?" The pastor responded quickly, "The fruit of repentance."

He said that when people came to Christ or Christians were restored in their walk with God, they wanted to make things right with their fellow man. Many people returned stolen items to the church in order to restore them to their previous owners. Others wanted to make restitution for previous debts. So much restitution was made that there wasn't room in the church for all the goods. They had to rent a warehouse at the docks to keep all the goods until they were returned to their rightful owners.

Revival begins when God's people get honest with Him and with one another. That may mean we must return items, ask forgiveness, or even mend a broken relationship. The Bible calls it the fruit of repentance. John the Baptist said to a group of religious people, "Produce fruit and keep it with repentance." Wouldn't it be wonderful if churches today had to rent warehouses because so much restitution was being made. Revival is not an escape from reality. Revival confronts us with the reality of our own personal sin. We become broken and are willing to make things right with God no matter what the cost. Speaking of the cost, it may be the fruit of repentance.