Will You Pay The Price for Revival?

We want revival, but not reform. We want a spiritual experience without the moral change. Why? Because that is the hard part. - Clint Decker

Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player turned preacher that spoke face to face before an estimated 100 million people in the early 20th century. In his own words he once “lived for the devil” giving himself to profanity, drunkenness, gambling and selfish living. But then he encountered Jesus Christ and was changed. The power of God reformed him, as He led Billy to give up his vices for a heart of love, joy, peace and so much more that brough him a personal revival that impacted the nation. (Image by Magnific)

God spoke to the people of Israel through Jeremiah the prophet saying, “I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds…” (Jeremiah 35:15) God was calling the nation to moral and spiritual reform, like what happened to Billy, which reflects repentance, meaning a change of mind and life, that turns toward God and His Word by faith.

If Israel would have humbled themselves and responded positively, revival would have come, but instead, they stubbornly refused and their nation fell.

Peter, one of Jesus’ Apostles, spoke to the Jews two months after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He declared, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37) And how did they respond? The opposite of Jeremiah’s crowd. Thousands of Jews in Israel turned to Jesus by faith, changed their ways, and revival came. It swept across Israel, the Roman Empire and beyond.

We often want revival, but not reform. We want a spiritual experience without moral change. Why? Because that is the hard part. For over 40 years, Jeremiah preached reform with no revival. And prior to Peter’s message, John the Baptist and Jesus labored at reform for three and half years. John’s preaching got him executed through decapitation and Jesus’ preaching got him crucified. And even amid the revival under Peter and the Apostles, believers were brutally killed for their message. But despite that, among the multitudes who did respond, the flames of revival continued burning brightly.

Why is personal or national revival so rare? Because the calling to moral and spiritual reform is resisted. Preachers rarely call for it because it is naturally offensive to their congregations, and people do not heed the message because they want to continue in their ways. They resist a complete reordering of one’s life under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. They oppose a new set of beliefs, habits and life direction.

For those who heed the call to personal reform through Christ, it extends beyond them. Change comes in their family, in how daily life is handled in the home. There also comes change in the operation of their business, change in the programming of their church, and change in the life of their community.

God is calling you to amend your ways. He is inviting you to turn in a new direction. He is leading you to do the hard thing. Why? He wants to save you from His judgement and the consequences of ungodly decisions for yourself and future generations. He also wants to pour out His Spirit within you, and bring you into His family, giving you an eternal inheritance in a blessed and glorious heavenly kingdom.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I acknowledge I have resisted your call to reform. I want the experience without the pain of changing my ways. Come Lord, this day, I yield myself to you and accept your call to reform. Change me, O God, by your wise and loving hand. Then change my family, business, church and city. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is Your Belief in God a Lie?

When there is a gap between what a person says and how they live, it is a dangerous place to be. - Clint Decker 

The Gallup Values and Beliefs survey recorded that 81% of Americans believe in God. However, they also conducted a survey about morally acceptable behaviors. Divorce is okay for 74%, sex outside of marriage is fine with 65%, gay or lesbian relationships are no problem for 62% and 49% Americans do not object to abortion. (Image by Magnific)

How can most U.S. citizens believe in God, while holding views and practices that are contrary to His commands? Something is wrong.

When there is a gap between what a person says, what they believe or how they live and the truth, it is a dangerous place to be. Why? Because they are living a lie and hurting themselves and others. When someone says, “I believe in God,” “I believe in Jesus,” or “I am a Christian,” but their beliefs or lifestyle show the opposite, there is reason to question things.

What do people mean by “believing?” That is an important place to begin. In most cases it is an acknowledgement of someone’s belief in the “existence” of God. Their belief might demonstrate itself by asking for prayer or even praying personally. They also might go to church. Overall, in terms of their life choices, they admit they are not perfect but feel as if their belief in God does and should count for something.

Is there a singular standard for belief in God, or is it more whatever an individual feels it means to them? Jesus directly addressed this, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) Put another way, “Why do you say you believe in Me, but do not do what I command you?” If Jesus asked you that question, what would you say? On another occasion Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” (John 14:23-24) Jesus is saying the same thing here, but in a different way. These statements from Jesus are summarized by God who said, “…this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13)

When we say we believe in God, it may be a form of honoring Him. Notice, however, God is more concerned about how one’s heart is toward Him, rather than what one’s lips say about Him. What demonstrates the true attitude of the heart? One’s lifestyle, choices and habits. In other words, what a person does in public and private, truly demonstrates what they really believe about God.

Let me ask an honest question. If you say you believe in God, how do you live? Do you do what He tells you?

Keep in mind the devil believes in the existence of God too. The Bible says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” (James 2:19). But do you know what the devil does not do? Obey God. The only person he is going to obey is himself.

When you do what God commands by faith, with a heart of love, it is a recognition of His Lordship over your life. It is a demonstration of your submission to Him. It is a true reflection of your heart toward your Creator.

No longer try to deceive yourself, others or God by honoring Him with your lips, while your day-to-day life is far from Him. To do so, is to live a lie. Jesus died and rose again to show He is Lord of lords and King of kings. As such, He commands everyone to turn to Him with their entire life by faith because He has proven He is worthy of it.

A prayer for you - Lord God, reveal if I have merely honored you with my lips, but not my life. If I have, I confess my sin and humble myself under your Kingship. From this day forward I yield my life to you by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have You Broken God’s Law?

God's moral commands are laid down for our good. He calls us to love our enemies instead of hating them, forgiveness rather than bitterness, sexual purity as opposed to sexual promiscuity and humility over pride. - Clint Decker

Annually, I fly out of the country for mission work in Africa. Therefore, as required by U.S. law, I need a passport. Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act states, It is “…unlawful for a United States citizen to attempt to depart from or enter the United States without a valid passport, except as authorized by the President.” If I violate that law, it carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. If I violate it for drug trafficking purposes it carries a 15-year sentence, and for international terrorism it can be up to 20 years. (Image by Istock) 

All 243 nations and territories of the world have laws to help govern their people. And beyond nations, there are church laws, business policies and family household rules—all of these set expectations for others.   

The English word for law, refers to a system of rules that have been laid down, or set in place, for people or an entire society. The system of rules (or laws) then influences moral behavior, determining what is right or wrong. 

In the U.S. passport law, do you see the moral nature of it? It is communicating to citizens that deception, lying, as well as drug trafficking and terrorism are wrong. It influences behavior. 

One writer on Islamic law states, “Islam does allow polygamy…[it] limits the number of wives…to four…” The Koran says, “But if you feel you may not be able to deal justly between [many wives], then marry only one.” (Holy Qur’an, 4:4). Do you see the immoral nature of this Islamic law? It influences behavior by communicating that polygamous marriages are permissible. 

As we see, laws can be either good or evil. There are also cases where laws may not be enforced regardless of their moral nature, and in some cases where laws are enforced, it may be done with a form of bribery to get a particular result.  

Where did this whole concept of “law” come from? The Lord God. The Scripture says, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.” (James 4:12) Millenia ago God laid down mankind’s first-ever laws governing marriage, family, work, as well as boundaries for what they could and could not do. He declared, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Unfortunately, our first parents, Adam and Eve, violated God’s law and suffered the consequences. Ever since, we have continued turning aside from God’s ways.     

His moral commands, for both the heart and life, are laid down for our good. He calls us to love our enemies instead of hating them, forgiveness rather than bitterness, sexual purity as opposed to sexual promiscuity and humility over pride. What is the foundation of these commands? Love. God has laid them down, because He loves us. For they benefit us, as well as our neighbor. However, we have a natural bent to push back against God’s law. We reject it. Consequently, we continually fall short of His perfect and holy standard. Therefore, we are subject to His judgement and the penalty of eternal death. Hence, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves--minus our one and only hope God has provided. Jesus. 

He came to suffer and die in your place. He took your penalty for disobedience. And because He rose again from the dead, if you turn from your ways and trust in Jesus with all your heart, you will know Him personally, be empowered to walk in His ways, and be forgiven and cleansed from all our wrongs. 

A prayer for you - Lord God, examine my ways. Have I failed to obey your moral commands? O Lord, I cannot, but only you can. I am weak, but you are strong. I am unworthy. Today I place my faith in you. Please forgive me, O gracious King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.