Friday, March 4, 2011

Can We Have Revival?

Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

     Believer in Christ, take notion if you will of this wonderful fact: we have truth diffused to us as sons!  God has made many things abundantly clear to man in His revelation of Himself.  Perhaps one thing most well-known is the great favor that God has given in bestowing grace to cover sin.  We must quickly learn this; that where there is sin, there is an abundant supply of grace to correct it.  Joyful is the man who is pulled from the deepest places of sin, for much grace is his reward in repentance.  To us is offered grace in greater proportion than sin multiplied of itself. What a wonderful truth that brings vast jubilation to the soul!  Grace is greater than all of our sin! So then, what of this grace?  How far can it take us today, Christian?  Can  it propel us to the brink of this thought and beyond: can we have revival in this day?  While we ponder on this, we may think to ourselves, "One says things are worse than ever, and another says God has foretold that revival cannot be in this age."  Look now soul to this encouraging truth, if sin abounds, then grace shall be in greater supply.  God needs not to send a revival in the midst of revival.  Rather it is reserved for when needed, held until things become grim and unbearable to the soul.  For if greater the display of sin, then greater the manifestation of grace.  Take great comfort now in this delight, we are in the wonderful age of grace, and the church is on the offensive!  Grace can bring us revival.

     Is then revival as imminent as the Lord's return?  Shall we see it if we desire to?  Observe this thought of sensible reasoning.  Ponder this until it becomes clear to your mind.  If we are in sin then the Lord would have us claim fire from Heaven to revive and our souls.  If Christians are to keep themselves in a Christ-like way then, from time to time, we need a revival ourselves.  If we must be revived so we may return to holy and Christ-like living, then we now see that reviving ourselves has become a duty.  This makes revival our duty because living holy is our duty.  Muse on this thought, would God deny us the power to fulfill a duty He requires of us?  Would He deny us the power to live in the Spirit as He has commanded?  Should He then deny us the method of restoring our spiritual walk?  Certainly not.

     Think on this verse.  2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  Is this verse not true?  If we then meet a condition, God shall give a result.  Has this verse been found false?  Or have you found an expiration printed within its words?  Was this not written by the same God that we have today?  Has God not honored the fullness of His counsel?  Have some portions of canonized Scripture become unprofitable?  Truly all Scripture is profitable and all of its divine promises true!  Herein is grace extended to the saints by a condition to meet with the promise of revival.

     Might I interpose now into your mind this one thought of conclusion, the devil loves preaching that would say we cannot have revival.  He quivers in delight over such a mind set but quivers in fear over the thought of revival coming to fruition.  Revival would lead to holy living of saints and sinners being converted in masses.  Our adversary wishes to deaden all such hope of revival.  May we then in duty more than ever expect God to give revival to our souls and churches.  We are robed in grace and indwelled of the Holy Spirit.  In such sure hands we should excite ourselves now, church, on this fact: we can have revival.  Meditate on this my fellow Christian and let it ring in abundance through the hallways of thine ears; if sin abounds, then grace does much more abound!