What if There is Revival?

What would happen today if a revival awakening occurred? Would the modern evangelical church be able to handle it? Would it be absolute chaos even though many people would come to saving faith and some of God’s people would become very serious about loving God? Sometimes it we may be one of the few experiencing revivals like Elijah in the Bible or part of the remnant that are the faithful.

The modern evangelical church is centered on three factors today. First, they are focused on activity. They want services for them and their family and entertainment to keep them somewhat interested. They want to be part of a group that has the appearance of success. They don’t care if things are Biblical or solid doctrinally. They are just concerned with what works and are customers looking for services. They spend little quality time with God nor make much room in their life for God.

Then there are those who exalt feeling and experience over the Bible and God. They want a warm fuzzy or they don’t feel like they are worshipping. They certainly don’t want to be corrected in person or from the pulpit. They only want to hear positive affirmations when they go to church. They don’t go to church to be convicted of sin. They go to church to feel good.

Then there are those who are against anything supernatural. They have created God in their image and therefore God is limited to their perspective and their limitations. As well there are those who prompt the prosperity gospel and the” name it and claim it” distortion. They make God a miracle working God at their command and try use him to attain great riches. They have a magical view of God without submitting and honoring His Lordship.

If we are not a good steward of riches, they own us we don’t own them. They may lead many astray. Great riches used to the glory of God is a marvelous thing. As the Bible says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10) It is not money itself, but the love of money which is the root of all kinds of evil.

Revival brings the church back on track but their will be a lot of resistance and also enhanced distortions led by the evil one. However, there will be a remnant that will be faithful. Whenever true revival or awakening has happened there has been resistance and all out war declared by the evil one. For revival to have lasting effects there must be three factors. First there must be solid Biblical interpretation and application. The Bible must be above experiences and experiences understood in light of the Bible not the other way around. There must be sound doctrine. Secondly people must be people of prayer. They must learn the depths of prayer with God in Jesus and spend quality time listening and dialoging with God. They will then especially be people of discernment. This means making much room for God, much deliberate room. Thirdly the church must make evangelism a very high priority and discipleship to follow. Jesus said, “Those who are not with Me, are against Me and he who does not gather with Me, scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

We must be good stewards of God’s grace and not use the grace of God in vain for our own vanity. We desperately need God to bring revival in our day. However, when revival comes don’t be surprised if along with it, it brings the chaos of man and the devil. However, the end result will be worth it and God will be glorified. Expect revival and pray for it. Be prepared to be part of what God is going to do. The revival may only be in your church to start or just in your life. We may feel like Elijah and that we are the only one that honors the living God. (1 Kings 19:1-18) However, God always has a remnant besides us. Let us be one of them, so that we also might make sure our calling and election. As the scriptures state, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

During the Roman persecution of Christians during Nero’s reign between A.D. 65-68, although the persecution began even earlier, there were many martyrs for Christ. Often, they would have to confess Lord Caeser or Lord Christ. To say someone is Lord is to state they are God. If they said Lord Christ many of them were killed by Lions and other wild animals in the Romans Coliseums and tortured to death in other various ways.. Some said Lord Caeser to save their physical lives and when the persecution is over wanted to be accepted back into the Christian church. They were only being pragmatic. They didn’t really mean that Caeser was Lord they just want to save their life. There was a major controversy about this in the early church. The question that some had, was if they were real Christians how could they deny Christ? Some agreed to more fully examine the people who denied Christ about their Christian experience of the new birth. To help them be sure of their calling and election in Christ.

Do we say Lord Christ even it creates some difficulty for us socially or economically? Do we say Lord Jesus in all our practices in the world or do we just go along with the world. What is our true commitment to Christ or are we in only for what we can get? God wants to bring ever increasing and sustaining revival to all of us. May we love God passionately and honor and serve Him and when revival does come to us and others, we will determine to be good stewards of God’s grace.