The resources and efforts invested by Christians to preserve our culture have been immense. In some quarters politics has been more highly esteemed than theology. Through the years some pulpits have been occupied by partisan rants instead of Bible exposition. Someone recently noted that when zeal for conversions begins to wane, the energy is often diverted into politics.
“Revival for survival” was touted for years as our only hope. Revival was seen as the means to secure our national future instead of the prescribed way to restore God to His rightful place in churches and society. Today, the faint saltiness of American Christianity has no power to stem the tide of ungodliness.
Though not on the radar at the moment, the subject of “revival” needs some serious reconsideration. I have a treasure trove of articles and resources on the subject of renewal. I see no point in me writing another article when others have already said what needs to be said in a most gripping way. The following excerpt by Armin Gesswein is taken from his booklet titled GOD’S LAW OF REVIVAL. Read this slowly…
There is a simple law of Revival revealed in Scripture. It is profound and realistic. It makes sense and it is very striking in its operation. Jesus brings this law into full focus at the close of His earthly ministry. Speaking of the Holy Spirit He says:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
This a classical description of what takes place when the Holy Spirit comes in Revival power.
I must confess that for a long time I read past the little word “YOU.” But it is the key word, and we must not miss it.
Jesus is telling us: When I send the Holy Spirit to YOU (first)…to YOU my people… to YOU my Christians…to YOU my Church, then I will (through you) convict the world (the non-Christians) of sin, righteousness, and judgment…”
We are suddenly taken to the courtroom of heaven.
The Holy Spirit is God’s Advocate, and summons our consciences to the bar of His judgment.
The action of the Holy Spirit is twofold. It gives us the law of Revival, which can be stated like this:
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- The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin to the non-Christian in the measure in which he first works in Christians in the church.
- The unconverted feel their need of salvation when Christians first feel the need for them to be saved.
- When Christians feel their deeper need of the Holy Spirit, non-Christians will feel their need of Christ.
- The church must be concerned for the world if the world is to be concerned for the church.
- Non-Christians will deal with their sins according to the way Christians first deal with theirs.
- When Christians repent, sinners will repent.
- Sinners will pray and seek the lord when Christians do so first.
- The unconverted will be “born again” of the Holy Spirit when Christians are burdened for them and birth them in prayer.
- When Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit, non-Christians will be convicted of sin and converted to Christ.
- When revival is strong in the church, evangelism will be strong in reaching the world.
- When Christians walk in the light they have, sinners will see the light in and through them.
- When God’s people face the many plain scriptures about holiness of life, cleansing from all sin, purity, victorious Christian living, and sanctification; sinners will face up to the plain word of God regarding their salvation.
Conviction of sin is the hallmark of genuine revival, and the lack of it shows how needy we are.
In short, the sword of the Spirit is two-edged, and in revival it cuts both ways: bringing forth repentance and revival in the church, and at the same time strong conversions to Christ in evangelism.
Harold Vaughan
