“Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
The world, and the Church, stand in dire need of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to turn men away from sin and towards Christ. But how likely is that to happen?
Looking at spiritual revivals in the past, there are several things that seem common to all. Firstly, a recognition of the emptiness and poverty of the Christian life that is evident in the Church; secondly, sustained prayer, both collectively and individually beseeching God to pour out His Spirit; thirdly, confession of sin and quick and continuous repentance ; fourthly, putting right what you have put wrong, with God and man; fifthly, cleaning up the personal life and putting away doubtful things; sixthly, prompt and absolute obedience to the Holy Spirit in all things; seventhly, public confession of Christ. This really is the true gospel of salvation that comes from the true Christ. There is, of course, another gospel, but it is the gospel of a false Christ and if you have a false Christ you must needs be satisfied with a false salvation.
In order to do His work, the Holy Spirit must first be welcomed, then given room and finally, honoured as the Head of the gathering or the Executive President of the Church. When the Spirit truly comes there will be tears of joy, tears of repentance, acknowledgement and confession of sin, dynamic prayer, unity of fellowship, devotion to the Word, love among the brethren, one accord. These are the signs and wonders that are promised to bear witness to the presence of Christ. It is meant to be just as it was in Acts 2. Historically, what has happened in revivals is that God does it, and men undo it.
When the Spirit comes, He falls on believers to revive their faith and to bring them under the direction of the Holy Spirit. When that happens, the unsaved notice that where there once were dead works, there is now life; the noticeable difference in God’s professing people draws unbelievers into the Spirit’s orbit and converts the godless into servants of Christ and articulate witnesses of His grace. This is what happened to Peter and the disciples at Pentecost.
Nothing can or will happen in the world until the dead Church is raised to life to bear living witness of the crucified and resurrected life; the Church is the vehicle that God has chosen to bear witness of Him and to be salt and light to the world. The condition of the world is the direct consequence of a dead Church, obsessed only with itself and in keeping the traditions of men alive.
It is only as believers are brought into harmony with the Holy Spirit that He is able to fall, in converting power, on the unsaved.
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