Revival Restores Christians affected by the Impact of the World
by Henry Teichrob
Part 1
The question is often asked, "Is revival needed in congregations where the Scriptures are believed, the Word of God taught, and the Gospel proclaimed?" Ideally the answer is No. It is easily assumed that in such circles the individuals are living a victorious life in close communion with the Lord, proclaiming the Gospel at home and internationally with a living relationship of love to the family, the church, the community. The ideal is not actual.
With pressures of affluence and permissiveness coupled with a secular "mind-set" it is too easy for believers to become "casual Christians" instead of "dedicated disciples". The mark of the "casual Christian" is a "self-centered" life-style making room for carnal living. As the world squeezes the mind of the believer into this mold it comes increasingly easy to rationalize sin and embrace thought patterns divergent from the Biblical revelation. With a mixture of light and darkness "all" is soon in a grey area. Total commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ now is an impractical idea. In revival God comes with words of truth, the moving of the Spirit and the claims for a total surrender of life to Him. God's purpose for the believer is to conform him to the image of Christ and this means the mind of Christ will be formed in him.
The mind of the casual Christian is suffering in several ways.
First, a loss of "God consciousness" has occurred. The sense of God's abiding presence is gone. Unconfessed sin, bitterness, broken relationships, discouragement, despair, depression – all indications that the sense of God's presence is lost. Perhaps nothing reveals this as readily as the believer's prayer life. Pray is casual. Notes of praise, adoration, worship and love are lost. Asking is the dominant theme. The "asking" asks God for His power to make possible the achievement of selfish goals. The relationship to God is inverted. The expectations are of Him that He will serve man's purposes rather than man serving His purposes. He is to actively participate in our endeavors rather than we actively participating in His. Quickly there is disappointment. God is not a utilitarian God. He is not a tool to be used by man for human needs. He is waiting for man to make himself available for service in His divine program. Revival restores the right relationship. The sense of God's presence and glory returns. Ask those who know the way of the Cross.
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