\n<\/p>\n
Please understand that this statement is coming from one who is a revivalist (me)and has studied the history of revivals. It\u2019s coming from an author who has written extensively on revival themes, and who was a part of the great Pensacola revival over 20 years ago. Its coming from one who believes that it\u2019s the greatest need in the American church and in many parts of the world. <\/p>\n
But when the Spirit of God poses a question like this in your spirit you pay attention. Although the word revival or some form of it is found in several Old Testament scriptures, it is found only once in the New Covenant, and in a different light. Here it is:<\/p>\n
\u201cI was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin REVIVED and I died.\u201d ( Rom. 7:9)<\/p>\n
The entire chapter of Romans 7 is about sin, and how the law exposes sin. Paul is speaking of the revival of sin in his life through the law. Wow! That\u2019s a jaw dropper isn\u2019t it? The law revealed and REVIVED sin in Paul\u2019s life. This is of course all before Paul\u2019s salvation. <\/p>\n
So what\u2019s my point? The New Covenant life is to be a Spirit-filled life where you don\u2019t need to be revived. You are living in personal revival because you have learned the secret of being continually filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19). Most Christians don\u2019t live there. Many are backslidden. This applies to even ministers. This is the reason that there is a prevailing deadness in many churches today. I\u2019m sorry to say, but most pastors wouldn\u2019t recognize the Holy Ghost if He walked in with a red suit on with red shoes and a red hat \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02. You Spirit-filled people know that\u2019s true! <\/p>\n
This is where the Holy Spirit has been drawing my attention to recently again. The key to a victorious Christian walk is living a Spirit filled life and never having to be revived! Revival is really for the backslider, the prodigal, and the untegenerate. God\u2019s original design and purpose is for believers to live a Spirit-filled life. <\/p>\n
Smith Wigglesworth said this: <\/p>\n
\u201cI have revival everywhere I go because I live FULL OF THE SPIRIT.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s it right there! The ministry of Jesus flows out of a Spirit-filled life. Evangelism and discipleship flow out of a Spirit-filled life. All acceptable service to God flows out of a Spirit-filled life. Healing the sick and casting out devils flows out of a Spirit-filled life! Waiting on tables and ministering to the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the downtrodden comes out of a Spirit-filled life. Fruitful prayer flows out of a Spirit-filled life! A godly marriage and raising godly children flows out of a Spirit filled life! Loving people flows out of a Spirit-filled life!<\/p>\n
This is the emphasis of the Spirit in my heart now. Again, my wife and I have done 32 videos called Face-to-Face on the Spirit filled life (they\u2019re on our YouTube channel, Holy Fire Ministries under our Playlist). Carolyn and I were doing one per week until we were hit hard with these recent health challenges. You can subscribe if you\u2019re hungry for more of this theme. <\/p>\n
Stay tuned\u2026<\/p>\n