Revival

                                                                                                                                                                            Vol. II, No. 1, March 1989

It is doubtful that anyone who reads this will have personally experienced a genuine revival here in the United States. Yet we read about such blessed events recurring in American and British history. Why this dry spiritual era? Why does not the Spirit of God break forth into the affairs of men as He did so many times in the past? It cannot be simply because of the controversy within the SBC, for the drought long antedates our controversy. Moreover, no other denomination is enjoying revival either.

On the theory that if one wants to learn about woodworking one consults a cabinet-maker; about surgery, a surgeon; about fishing, a fisherman; in short, to learn we must consult someone with appropriate experience. The Banner will run a series on revival based upon the written works of some who have been instrumental in one or more previous revivals.

Our first expert will be Charles G. Finney as we draw from his experience and conclusions recorded in his book Revivals of Religion.

Finney writes that revival presupposes the church is backslidden and always includes the conviction of sin on the part of the church. "A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. ... Christians will have their faith renewed ... They will be filled with a tender and burning love for souls.... A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians." And the reformation and salvation of sinners follows.

Because we have not experienced it, we may tend to regard revival as almost a miracle wholly and entirely dependent on God's sovereign and arbitrary will. Finney denies this and notes seven indications of when a revival is needed: "When there is a want of brotherly love and Christian confidence among those who claim to be Christians, "when there are dissensions and jealousies, and evil speaking among professors of religion" [Finney does not mean college professors, but anyone who professes to be a Christian.], "When there is a worldly spirit in the church..., when the church finds its members falling into gross and scandalous sins..., when there is a spirit of controversy..., when the wicked triumph over the churches, and revile them..., when sinners are careless and stupid." By his criteria we need revival on every count. Finney makes the telling point that "Christians are more to be blamed for not being revived, than sinners are for not being converted."

Finney also provides eight indicators of when a revival may be expected. "When the providence of God indicates that a revival is at hand ... a conspiring of events to open the way...; when the wickedness of the wicked grieves and humbles and distresses Christians...; when Christians have a spirit of prayer for revival ... prayer is a state of the heart ... continual desire and anxiety of mind for the salvation sinners... the subject of his thoughts all the time..., when the attention of ministers is especially directed to this particular object..., when Christians begin to confess their sins to one another..., whenever Christians are found willing to make the sacrifices necessary to carry it on. They must be willing to sacrifice their feeling, their business, their time ... The minister must be prepared, if it be the will of God, to be driven away from the place. He must be determined to go straight forward, and leave the entire event with God...; when ministers and professors are willing to have God promote it by whatsoever instruments He pleases." In summary, Finney lays the responsibility squarely on us Christians, "...you have not a revival... only because you do not want one. Because you are neither praying for it, nor feeling anxious for it, nor putting forth efforts for it."

In his chapter "How to Promote a Revival" Finney uses the simile of plowing fallow ground (our hardened hearts). He strongly maintains that we cannot simply decide to desire revival, ,...you must go to work just as you would on any other subject. Instead of keeping our thoughts on everything else, and then imagining that by going to a few meetings you will get your feelings enlisted, go the common-sense way to work, as you would on any other subject ... you must draw off your attention from other things, and look into this ... Do not be in a hurry. Examine thoroughly the state of your hearts, and see where you are: whether you are walking with God every day, or with the devil..." This self-examination is to result in confession of specific sins one-by-one. "General confessions of sin will never do. Your sins were committed one by one; and ...they ought to be reviewed and repented one by one.

He recommends starting with sins of omission: ingratitude to God, lack of love to God, neglect of the Bible, unbelief ("If you have not believed nor expected to receive the blessing which God has expressly promised, you have charge Him with lying."), neglect of prayer, the poor manner in which you have performed spiritual duties, want of love for the souls of your fellow-men, want of care for the heathen, neglect of family duties, neglect of social duties, neglect of watchfulness over your own life, neglect to watch over your brethren, neglect of self-denial (so far are they from remembering that self-denial is a condition of discipleship that they do not know what self-denial is ... Some are giving of their abundance, and are giving much, and are ready to complain that others do not give more, when, in truth, they do not themselves give anything that they need ... They only give of their surplus wealth.") From omission, Finney turns to commission: worldly mindedness, pride, envy, censoriousness, slander, levity, lying, cheating, hypocrisy, robbing God ("I will not speak of intoxicating drink, for I presume there is no professor of religion here that would drink it, and I hope there is not one that uses that filthy poison, tobacco. Think of a professor of religion using God's money to poison himself with tobacco!"), bad temper, hindering others from being useful.

Finney suggests we write down our specific sins under each above heading (and perhaps others), then repeat the process a second, third, and fourth time. "You should go over the list as thoroughly, and as carefully, and as solemnly, as you would if you were just preparing yourself for the Judgment." As you do so, resolve upon complete reformation.

To the failure to do this, Finney lays not only the barrenness of so many professors, the abundance of church programs and machinery, but the scarce harvest of souls. "There is mechanical religion enough, but very little that looks like deep heart work." Certainly this is true of the entire SBC today. WE have programs galore. Yet in 1855 there was one baptism for 12.5 members, whereas in 1987 there was one baptism per 43.5 members.

It is vital to remember that revival is not a program. Rather, it is the turning of backslidden, lukewarm, worldly-oriented Christians to God, the development of an anguished desire to glorify God by bringing more souls to Him, a consequent burden for the lost, and a commitment of self (time, resources, talents, thoughts) to these ends by laity and ministers alike. It is unswerving belief in God's promises and consistent, repeated, struggling with God in prayer until He fulfills His promises. Not that He is not anxious to pour out His Spirit, but we must be ready. To seek revival is not a light request. It must be a deep hunger of the soul. A burning obsession. A flame of the heart.

When we ask in God's will and we are ready in God's eyes to receive, He will respond. How many times He repeats the promise: Mt. 7:7-11; 18:18-20; 21:20-22; Lk. 11:5-13; John 11:21-23; 14:13-18; 15:4-8, 16; 16:23-24; James 4:2-3; 5:16; I John 3:21-22; 5:14-15. Thus Finney devotes an entire chapter to prevailing prayer. "Prayer is an essential link in the chain of causes that lead to a revival..." He defines prevailing prayer as: prayer for one definite object, in accordance with the revealed will of God, in submission to God's will, with a desire for the object of prayer commensurate with its importance, offered from right motives (the glory and honor of God being the highest motives, other purposes – even salvation of the heathen – being subordinate to that), by the intercession of the Spirit, persevering, praying a great deal, offered in the name of Christ, having renounced our sins, and in faith.

Do we really want revival? Clearly and sadly the answer is, no.

Can we develop the burning desire for revival? Clearly and joyfully the answer is, yes!

Who will covenant to pray for revival? Who will examine and purify their hearts and then wrestle with God in prevailing prayer? How it must grieve God to see the low state to which we have fallen in Virginia, in our nation. He is the Lord and changes not, Mal. 3:6. It is we who have changed. We who have grown cold. We who spend more time with television than with God. We who profess Christ but follow the world. Let us turn and claim the promises of God.