Reformation Faith For The Final Crisis.
CHAPTER 2
Spiritual Revival and Reformation by the Spirit
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for IT ISTIME TO SEEK THE LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12.
“A revival of true godliness among us is THE GREATEST and MOST URGENT of All OUR NEEDS. To seek this should be OUR FIRST WORK. There must be EARNEST EFFORT to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is OUR WORK by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing. A revival need be expected only in answer to PRAYER.” (1 SM pp 121-143); R.H. March 22, 1887.
“A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. 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 spiritual death. Reformation signifies a 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.” R.H. Feb. 25, 1902.
How will this revival and reformation begin? It will begin by A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE in our thoughts and feeling, in the inner man and outwardly manifested by changes in habits and practices. God wants His people to turn from their WORLDLINESS and SEEK HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH.
“And ye shall seek me and find me, after that ye shall search for me with all your hearts.”
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”
As we reform, a new, vitalizing love will in well up in our hearts for God and a strong desire to please Him as a love for souls for whom Christ died. In this love we shall discern the answers to what we have been longing and praying for.
“God rebukes His people for their sins, that He may humble them, and lead them to seek His face. As they reform, and His love reviews in their hearts, His loving answers will come to their requests. He will strengthen them in reformatory action, lifting up for them a standard against the enemy. His rich blessing will rest upon them, and in bright rays they will reflect the light of heaven. Then a multitude not of their faith, seeing that God is with His people, will unite with them in serving the Redeemer.” R.H. Feb. 25, 1902.
“The reason why the Holy Spirit does not work among us… is theunbeliefinGod and the LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN ONE ANOTHER. This was the work of the power of darkness to lead us to SUSPECT OUR BRETHREN and STAND APART as criticizers.” Letter 7, 1889.
The baleful effects of malicious gossip, envy, evil surmising, harbouring guile and distrust that lead to suspicion and fault finding will drive the Spirit of God out of any church and in effect crucify the Son of God afresh. After a while things which were merely perceived will be seen as reality and our thoughts towards a person or an issue, will colour our feelings which will be outwardly expressed in words, actions or body language.
It stands to reason: we cannot experience a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation without the Holy Spirit. Psychological maneuvering, expert salesmanship tactics and promotional catch phrases can never take the place of the work of the Holy Spirit any more than a dozen different whips applied to a tired horse can create new energy. God’s people need the breath of new life breathed into their souls. Only the indwelling Spirit can supply the motivation needed.
“The Spirit of Christ must be IN US just as the blood is in the body.” Through Crisis to Victory p. 242, 302; Sermons at Minneapolis by E.G. White.
People will catch our spirit before they understand our message and they will know whether the Holy Spirit or self actuates us.
“Whoever has received the Holy Spirit, will make it manifest.” R.H. Dec. 5, 1893.
The world must have a new revelation of Christ.
“Of all professing Christians, Seventh-Day Adventists should be FOREMOST in uplifting Christ before the world.” G.W. 1915, 156.
Those who by obedience make Christ foremost, God intends to make them foremost in uplifting their Saviour before the world in the Loud Cry and in the final crisis.
Revival calls for a willingness to lend and spend and give beyond the call of duty – it calls for second and even third – milers. Revival begins when spiritually sensitive souls respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and continue under His direction. Let us remember that we cannot use the Spirit; the Spirit uses us.
“One member working in right lines will lead other members to unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the Holy Spirit.” 8T. 251.
“When churches are revived, it is because SOME INDIVIDUAL seeks earnestly for the blessing of God,… (then) souls are aroused to seek for a like blessing and a season of refreshing falls upon the hearts of men.” Home Missionary, November 1890.
“God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of THOROUGH REFORMATION.” GCB. May 19, 1913, p. 34.
Brother, sister, God has something for YOU to do. Will you obey the inner prompting of His Spirit? Do you hear, even now, the Spirit speaking to your heart calling you to a higher standard of spirituality and commitment to His service?
The Spirit’s presence in our church will transform it into a spiritual powerhouse.
“As the members of our churches individually take up their appointed work, they will be surrounded with an entirely different atmosphere… The quickening, sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon them.” 6T. 267, 268.
How and where will this reformation begin? It commences when INDIVIDUAL seeking personal purification puts away “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1.
“True reformation begins with soul cleansing.”
“God’s plan is first to reach the heart.” Then those who are cleansed “are to speak the truth in love, trusting in Him to give it power for the reforming of the life. The Holy Spirit will apply to the soul the word that is spoken in love.” MH. p. 180, 157.
Much of the weakness in the church today stems from a lack of piety and reverence in the house of God and towards the services in the temple. Carelessness in God’s earthly sanctuary dishonours the King of the universe. Common talking and laughter and greeting one another in the house of God is disrespectful and irreverent. Greeting each other and visitors should be reserved for without the sanctuary. Quietness and solemnity should pervade its precincts both on entering and leaving the sanctuary. How many treat the sacred and heavenly with flippancy and callousness! But the Holy Spirit will change all this as we prepare for the Latter Rain.
Worldliness has crept into the churches in various forms and guises so much so that even the youth are losing spiritual direction to the pleasures of this world. In the past among God’s people, much spiritual victory has been lost to passion for games, sports and competition as at this time.
“Among the students the spirit of fun and frolic was indulged. They became so interested in playing games that the Lord was crowded out of their minds; and Jesus stood among you in the playground, saying, O that thou hadst known, “even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!”… Luke 19:42. The question of amusement occupied so large a place in your minds, that after the solemn visitation of the Spirit of God, you entered into its discussion with such great zeal that all barriers were broken down; and through your passion for games, you neglected to heed the word of Christ: “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” The place that should have been occupied by Jesus was usurped by your passion for games. You chose your amusements instead of the comfort of the Holy Spirit. You did not follow the example of Jesus, who said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38.
The minds of many are so bewildered with their own human desires and inclinations, and they have been so in the habit of indulging them, that they cannot comprehend the true sense of the Scriptures.” R.H. Jan. 30, 1894. (1SM. P. 121-143).
“Have not the playing of games, and rewards, and the using of the boxing glove been educating andtrainingafterSatan’sdirectiontoleadtothepossessionofhisattributes?... The work of every true Christian is to represent Christ, to reflect light, to elevate the standard of morals, and by words and influence consecrated to God, to compel the careless and reckless to think of God and eternity… this kind of pastime is not improving mind or spirit or manners for the preparation for the scenes of trial that they must soon enter. Thetimeisaltogethertoofulloftokensofthecomingconflicttobeeducatingtheyouthin funandgames.” Letter 46, 1893.
“If there is any one thing in the world in which we may manifest enthusiasm, it may be manifested IN SEEKING THE SALVATION OF THE SOULS FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED. Work of this kind will not cause us to neglect personal piety. The exhortation is given for us to be ‘not slothful in business: fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. ‘Romans 12:11.” R.H. Feb. 6, 1894; (1SM pp 121-143).
Spiritual revival and reformation will prepare us individually and the church for the outpouring of the Latter Rain baptism of the Holy Spirit. Are we prepared or preparing for such?
Allow me to pose some very practical questions. Suppose the membership of our church doubled or tripled or “multiplied greatly.” Could wein our present spiritual condition assimilate them? Could we teach them reverence? Would we interest ourselves to find employment for those who had lost their jobs standing firm for the Sabbath truth? Would our sisters be able to help wives and mothers learn how to cook and dress according to christian standards? Would we be able to train the new believers how to go from door to door as missionary witnesses if we have not been doing it ourselves? Would converts see any inconsistencies in our personal lives? Would certain television programmes they might see in our homes shock them? Would some wonder if we really had the truth because of the homes without a family altar and only a fickle interest in Bible study? Are we ready for a spiritual revival and reformation by the Spirit and for the Latter Rain mass evangelism? Speaking of a certain church, the servant of the Lord said,
“Hundreds were convicted of the truth, but theLordknewthematerialofwhichthatchurchwascomposed. If souls came out into the truth, there were none to nourish and cherish them, and to lead them along to an elevated life.” 4T. 237.
“The Lord doesnotnowwork to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden.” 6T. 371.
“The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, willnotcomeuntilwehaveanenlightened people,thatKNOWBYEXPERIENCE what it means to be LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure. Christian Service p.253.
This will be a reality for those who shall comprise the Loud Cry servants. When by faith in obedience to God and His word:-
“The churches become living, working churches, the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. Then the truth... will be regarded with new interest... Every declaration of inspiration concerning Christ will take hold of the inmost soul of those who love Him. The promises of God.... will then glow upon the altar of the heart, and fall in burning words from the lips of the messengers of God. They will then plead with souls with an earnestness that cannot be repulsed. Then the windows of heaven will be open for the showers of the Latter rain.” R.H. Feb.25, 1890.
“In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a greatreformatorymovement among God’s people. Many were praising God… Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth... I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seem to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844.” 9T.126.
Dear Brethren, to you today is given the call for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation by faith. Will you heed the call and the prompting of the Spirit of God?
> If not YOU, WHO?
> If not HERE, WHERE?
> If not NOW, WHEN?
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