The Challenge Of America Ministries
Current Issues
The Biblical Perspective Scriptural Principles Applied For True Spiritual Revival "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Personal There can never be too much said concerning the role of the individual regarding revival. Personal spiritual revival is the most important part of a true revival. Everything starts from the individual level and spreads from there. Revival cannot start or grow if there isn't first the individuals, then the groups of individuals, living, working, and praying for revival. The individual must always - daily - reassess his or her spiritual health. He or she must be constantly evaluating themselves according to the Word of God as found in the Bible. Confession and repentance must be an active part of the individual's prayer and practical life. Family A scripturally based family is essential for revival, especially to spread as a national spiritual revival. This is a household where the husband is the spiritual head and the wife is scripturally submissive to the husband. He leads and teaches in all things spiritual and his teaching and living is basically the source of the security of the family. Much is dependent on the father and the the parents together. There must be discipline of the children. There must be practical and scriptural living as related to finances and material belongings. The married couple must work as one, joined as God ordained, to teach and raise the children in a secure, Godly home. Church It is so important that believers join in a local church for revival to occur. This is commanded in God's Word and is easily understood why it is commanded. Church provides for the joining together with others for worship. It provides for spiritual teaching, counseling, encouragement, and refreshment. Membership (commitment) and attendence is necessary for revival to occur. The Lord's day must be reserved for Him and not other activities. And the mid-week service and prayer meeting, often called the "hour of power," is highly recommended to be observed. And church selection is just as important as attendance. The church must be true to the Word of God, the Bible, faithfully teaching the Word, and the members faithfully and consistently living God's Word in a personal life testimony. Education Educating the children must be taken seriously by anyone working toward revival. Parents must see the great responsiblity that they have been given when entrusted by God to raise those new lives He created. Therefore, as others have said, Christian education is not an option, it is a command. Public education is not an option as long as God and the Bible has been removed. Christians must see the all too important necessity of training their children the way God wants and not the way a government negative to Christianity and Biblical teachings dictates. Private Christian or home schooling are the only two ways Christians should be teaching their children. Employment A person's choice of employment plays an important part in revival. One person, upon becoming a new child of God in a chuch service, publicly testified that he didn't know what he was going to do for a job since he knew he had to leave his present position in a rock band. Many Christians are employed in jobs that requre some level of compromise. This may be something as simple as selling tobacco and alcoholic products to something more involved such as corporate tactics that are sinful. Others may be working in a field of employment, knowing it's wrong, yet not yielding to the Spirit of God. Social/Political Issues Some good has happened in the social and political arena in just the past few years. Victories for church, family values, and good morality have been seen in the courts and legislation. But this is not consistent. Laws are changing and courts are ruling in favor of unconstitutional and sinful practices, and with each new administration elected or a different judge appointed, things change almost overnight. Christians must be mindful of this and keep up front the important message of the Gospel. While laws and judgements can be favorable in governing a nation, souls will continue on a path to hell. Only through a spiritual awakening and revival will there be good and permanent change. This is what Christians should be striving for. These are the types of organizations that Christians should be supporting. There are many Christian groups that hold the spiritual message up front and they are to be commended for their work. But there are probably more that work with just the social and political issues, and Christians should avoid giving time, money, and energy to these works that have no eternal value. "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only..." (James 1:22) |