Revive means to live again more vigorously. The dictionary says, to come back to life or consciousness. The first definition is more of a Biblical definition. Either definition can be applied to our Spiritual life. We can be dead in sin and need Revived. We can be a lukewarm Christian and need Revived. We can be a half hearted Christian and need Revived. We can by a hypocrite and need Revived. There are lots of states that we can be in and our need is Revival. I think the worst state of all is the Hypocrite, who thinks they are OK when in reality they are far from being an OK Christian. The Hypocrite who thinks they are perfect or next to being perfect are far from it in their actions, words and deeds. They have a proud spirit and try to make everyone else come up to their standards, they are very critical of everyone but themselves. They see nothing wrong with themselves.
Then I would say the lukewarm Christian would be in a critical condition, they go to Church, and listen to great sermons on what a Christian ought to be and go home unchanged, they are happy just drifting along believing that they are saved when in reality they are far from it. They are indifferent to the call to be like Jesus and are comfortable in the rut they are in. Some people call them pew warmers. They think they are Christians but think they are alright just like they are and don't need to change. They think that if their names are on the church books, that's all that is necessary.
It really doesn't matter what ditch we fall into, we need Revived. There is hope for all who want to stay on the main road and I want to share this hope with you today.
Psalms 85::6 "Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"
Psalms 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life."
Psalms 119:93 "I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life."
Psalms 138:7 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me, You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me."
Here is the great promise of revival.
Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
Isn't it true that God's word gives us life and revives our Christian experience and isn't it true that He has promised to revive us if we have a humble spirit and are repentant of our sins? Isn't it true that He has promised us that His right hand will save us?
So what are we waiting for, let us give Him our lives and let Him lift us out of the ditch we are in. One of my very favorite promises is as follows:
Psalms 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps, He has put a new song in my mouth--Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord."
Isn't that the greatest promise for us today, just be patient and He will bring us up out of the pit we are in no matter what pit or ditch we have fallen into. He will plant our feet on a rock and I believe that Rock is Christ and His truths. He will make sure our steps don't falter and He will also put a new song in our heart, praise to God that will cause others to be saved.
I think we could all use some reviving, don't you. I know I do and this little study has really helped me understand that I need it very much, how about you? Could you use some reviving of your Christian experience? God has promised to revive us, so let us let Him do it for us. Grandma Joan
When leaven is introduced into meal, it penetrates to every part,till an entire change takes place. So it is with the work of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart.The truth received and believed introduces new rules, new principles of action into the life. A new standard of character is set up....the life of Christ. and they receive more and more strength, and greater and still greater light. Daily they expel from their hearts vanity, selfishness self-righteousness.
ReplyDeleteAs they receive the spirit of Christ, light shines from them in clear, distinct rays. They have a solemn sense of eternal realities. There is a renewal of the entire mind and heart. As the leaven introduced into the meal leavened the whole, so the leaven of truth, if introduced into the heart, will absorb to itself all the properties of soul, body and spirit . . .
Transformation of heart means an entire change of the entire man, witch means women also. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. and being born again is being baptised. Christ declared (John 3:3). This change of heart is unseen; for it is an inward work, and yet, it is seen, because it works out ward from within.
Has the leaven of truth been at work in your heart? Has it absorbed the whole heart, the whole affections by its sanctifying powers?.....
Our first work is with our own hearts. The true principles of reform should be practiced. The heart must be converted and sanctified else we have no connection with Christ. While our hearts are divided,we shall never, never be fitted for usefulness in this life or for the future life. As intelligent beings, we need to sit down and think whether we are really seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The very best thing we can do is to think soberly and candidly whether we desire to put forth the effort necessary to obtain the Christian hope and secure the Christian's heaven. If through the grace of Christ we decide that we do, the next question is: What is there that I must cut away from my life in life in order that I shall not stumble?