Our personal commitment to God is revival, and the winning of souls must be at the heart of the Christian. From the beginning, the plan for a Saviour to be born was in place. Through the crucified Christ, He purchased for Himself a body of believers who will manifest what salvation looks like.
When we’re consumed by this fervent advocacy of the Good News, whether we’re planting, watering or reaping (1 Corinthians 3:6-8), God will bring forth fruit to His glory in His time.
Our life is often likened to sowing and reaping. While this may imply seasons of waiting, like the farmer who must be patient to see the fruit of his labour, we’re to faithfully labour in His field knowing that ‘at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9 NIV).
The perfect ministry of the Holy Spirit Who has been working until now, is drawing us into a revived commitment to walk with God. Galatians 6 is the reminder, for we’ll reap proportionately to what we sow; we’ll reap in kind what we sow. Those who plant grape vine should expect to harvest grapes, and those who sow anger should expect to receive what anger naturally produces.
‘He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward’ (Proverbs 11:18 NIV), but ‘He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility’ (Proverbs 22:8 AMP). This principle works both positively and negatively.
By the Spirit of grace, we’re continually sanctified in God’s Truth. The Holy Spirit’s work is to preserve and keep us blameless until Jesus returns.
In Ezra 9: 8-9, Ezra reveals the heart of God when a remnant returned, ‘And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage. For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall.’
The overflowing goodness of God when these exiles were brought home to live in the Promised Land again – God gave them a peg in His holy place, assuring them that they were in a safe and secure place in Him.
Ezra rejoiced in what he perceived was a measure of revival. It was life from the dead – refreshing, light, liberty, and joy from a place of darkness. Ezra understood that this was nothing but God’s mercy and favour.
This revival should not be despised by displaying a casual disregard to sin and compromise by disobedience in response to God’s blessings.
David prayed in Psalm 119:37 that his eyes be turned away ‘from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.’ This prayer was not only for the right heart desires but that God would direct his gaze. Our eye is the lamp of the body, and it reveals the treasures of the heart.
Living a carnal life of sin and expecting to inherit heaven is like planting tares and waiting to harvest wheat. ‘For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.’ (Galatians 6:8).
The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the hope of salvation and the inheritance we have in Christ. It’s the Spirit and the Bride who say, “‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17) Our hope must be fixed on the day when Jesus returns.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we’re to grow in godliness in anticipation of the day so that we can more clearly reflect Jesus Christ in our lives when He returns.
Our commitment to draw nearer in intimacy, to become holy through sanctification is an ongoing process of the work of the Holy Spirit. He has been given to revive our personal commitment to God that we may know Him better.
Isaiah 40:13 says, ‘Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counsellor has taught Him?’ and Paul in Romans 11:34 writes, ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counsellor?’ Who knows the thoughts of God and can reveal those thoughts to us?
The Greek word ‘parakletos’ or ‘counsellor’ means ‘one who is called alongside’, and carries the idea of someone who encourages and exhorts. To become who God created us to be, we need the Holy Spirit to be our counsellor and guide.
The Holy Spirit has come that we may be complete, for through Him we enjoy perfect communion in Christ.
Holy Spirit, revive us! Without you, we’re powerless to know Your way.
