Have You Had an Answer to Prayer?
The rapidly unfolding events in the fields of science, politics, economics, religion and ethics - which are focalized daily by the mass media - show that we are living in the final hours of earth’s history. The sun of grace and mercy is about to set forever. Yet the people are in a condition of indifference. God is ready to intervene powerfully in the affairs of this world. His work has to be finished on earth. And before that, the Holy Spirit is going to be poured out in greatest fullness in the showers of latter rain.
Mankind naturally lapses into lethargy concerning spiritual matters. One of the causes of this problem is that people fool themselves by reversing values. They love that which they should hate, and they hate that which they should love. For this type of spiritual and moral disease there is only one remedy, namely, a true repentance and a total conversion. Unless there is a genuine revival and reformation under the Spirit of God, the professed followers of Christ will not be prepared to stand in the judgment and go through the time of trouble, and they will not be ready for the coming of Christ.
In the unconscious mind of some Christians, the terms “revival” and “reformation” carry certain connotations which tend to block the way to achieving God’s purpose. As a matter of fact, many think of past revivals, or weeks of prayer, or camp meetings in which they took part. There they saw many individuals coming forward in response to altar calls. But they also saw that in these persons the desire to change their lives soon died away. Many a stirring sermon, many a tearful resolution and honest decision, starts with a courageous shout, but eventually ends in a moan.
“Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death. Reformation signifies reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.”1
As a preparation for this great event, the believers in the threefold message, as a people and as individuals, need a deep revival and thorough reformation. A call to turn to God wholeheartedly in search of genuine repentance and conversion must resound in our mist. This is our greatest and most urgent need. When this work is accomplished, all other needs that we may have, both individually and collectively, will be met. The revival and reformation that God demands is not to be compared to a quick flight from one city to another, but rather to a prolonged and uninterrupted journey to the kingdom of glory.
All our doctrines may be correct. We may reject false teachings, and make no room for those who are not true to our principles. We may labor with untiring energy to promote the last message of the eternal Gospel. But this is not sufficient. To present the theory of our belief to unbelievers does not constitute us true witnesses for Christ.
Let us each ask ourselves, what can I do to reach the souls that are lost? God calls for a work to be done by us. Unless this work is first done in our own hearts our entire course of action will be in vain.
“Faith claims God's promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience.”2
“A sin-hating God calls upon those who profess to keep His law to depart from all iniquity.”3
The warfare in which we are engaged has no neutral position. Christ requires complete possession. Self must die in order for Christ to reign on the throne of the heart.
“A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. . . . There must be a painful work of detachment, as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness--sin in all its forms--must be overcome, if we would enter into a union with Christ.”4
Therefore, we must seriously consider the need of this hour and pray, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me” (Psalms 25:5). Then the divine hand is extended to our aid and divine wisdom will order our steps as divine love encircles us.