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Do We
Need Revival?
Listen to Pastor Whitman as He Preaches on
the subject:
The Necessity of Revival and The Normal Christian Life - Pastor Whitman
Do we
need revival? Most individuals will answer with a resounding “YES”! However,
determining from these same individuals exactly who “we” is and defining what
“revival” is can be an arduous task. It seems there are as many definitions of
what revival is and exactly who needs it as there are people to answer the
question.
By definition, the word “revive” means to quicken, to make alive, or
to restore to life again. The word “revival” itself is not found in the
Scriptures, yet the words “revive” and “revived” are found 14 times in 13
verses. Twice in the New Testament the word “revived” is used; once in relation
to sin and once in relation to the Saviour.
Surprisingly (to many) there is no call to or cry for revival found in
the New Testament, though by today’s standard, there are several churches and
individuals found there who would qualify as needing it.
Scripturally, revival (or reviving) is reserved for the Nation of
Israel when she, at times, would turn away from God and suffer His wrath. Time
and again, in verses such as Psalm 85:6, Hosea 6:2, and Habakkuk 3:2, the word
“revive” is used in reference to a Jewish Nation that has turned away from God.
Interestingly there were no other people or people groups in the Old Testament
whom revival was for. Only the true “people of God” were candidates for revival
and then only when they were away from God. The experience of this revival was
know when the nation repented and returned to God.
In staying with the Scriptural pattern, a modern revival could only
involve the true people of God, and, in order to qualify for it, they would have
to be away from God. In order to experience it, they would have to, as Israel
did, repent and return to God.
That being said, only the true people of God need apply for revival.
Apostate Christendom does not qualify. False prophets, false churches, and false
professors don’t need revival; they need regeneration! They do not qualify for
revival. Revival would NOT help them!
Secondly, it must be a fact that only the true people of God who are
away from God need revival (If we are to stay with the Biblical pattern). That
leads me to conclude that neither everyone nor every church needs revival. Now
there is never a time that a church does not need God, His power, and His
presence; however, there should be times (the majority of the time) when the
church does not need revival. It is possible to walk with God! God help us if we
continually need revival!
Now, we
are not speaking here of perfection in any sense on anyone’s part nor are we
trying to give the idea that some have “arrived” when it comes to spirituality.
We are simply saying that those who are right with God and walking with God
don’t need revival in the Biblical sense. (which is the ONLY sense by the way)
I
reiterate once again that there is no call to or for revival in the New
Testament. However, we know from Revelation 2 that it is possible for a church
and those that make it up to leave their first love. We also know that according
to James 4, we can get away from God by allowing sin to go unchecked in our
lives. In James 1:15, the Scriptures are clear. When sin comes into the life of
a child of God, it brings forth death. There is no joy, no peace, no power, no
manifest presence of God for those who are not right with the Lord.
What
then is the answer? The answer is repentance! (read Revelation 2 & James 4).
Only through repentance can the fellowship of the child of God be restored. When
we repent and get right with God as a child of God, the joys and blessings of
fellowship and fruitfulness that were lost because of sin are once again
restored. If one wishes to call that revival, go ahead, but no matter what you
may call it, make sure you have done it if it is necessary!
In James
4:10 the phrase “lift you up” means to exalt, to raise to dignity, to honour,
and to happiness. If you are weary because of sin, that is what you desire. We
sense the need for revival primarily because of our own sin and slackness in
regards to spiritual things. Apart from a Spirit-filled life, the Christian life
is NOT fulfilling, it is condemning (Romans 8:1).
That
leads me to this thought: Biblical revival is dependent upon the people of God.
God is not obligated to do anything for those who refuse to repent and return to
Him. If you desire restored fellowship and fruitfulness, do as the Scriptures
command in James 4:8-11, “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your
hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter
be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight
of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” God will do as He says if WE will do
as He says.
I say in
closing that much damage has been done in the name of revival. I am afraid that
many sincere but misguided souls are looking for a Christian experience that is
not based on the Scriptures. Someone has said that the Christian life is the
best life. I heartily agree! That does not mean that it is a life without
trials, troubles, and tribulations. What it does mean however is that no matter
what may come my way, as God’s child, I have “a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) and His name is Jesus.
Psalm
34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD
delivereth him out of them all.” Here, afflictions are the lot of the
righteous not the unrighteous. There is not a revival anywhere that will ever
change that. I’m afraid that what most people are looking for (experience wise)
will not be a reality until they get to heaven. Only then are there no more
trials, no more troubles, and no more temptations. Until then, let us “walk
in the Spirit”, Galatians 5:16, 25.
In the
Battle for the Lord & Right,
Pastor
Kevin Whitman
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