THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND RE-AWAKENING IN THE CHURCH

I have always pondered in my mind the fact that the Church seems to be powerless today. It has very little or no appeal to this generation that is highly materialistic. As a member of the Church, at times I wonder why I seems to be of little use so far to God in soul winning. That is just one among the myriads of dilemmas I struggle with in my own Christian life.  I am always hunted by the fact that my life like that of many other Christians that claims to be Spirit filled is not always full of joy and making exploits for Jesus.  Many times, I have prayed to God to give me this joy and peace like he gave to the early disciples such as Peter, Paul, Silas, John etc. God soon enabled me to understand that the fruits of the spirits which these people are full of are not automatically conferred on believers. God asked me whether I am walking with Him as the early disciples walked with Him? I off course know that the answer is No. It was as if a veil was removed from my face and suddenly, I realised that for me to have what they had, I must walk with God as they walked.

Because God is truth and forever consistent, He said something similar to me early this morning before I came out of bed for morning devotion at 6am. The night before, I had been reading the book authored by David Watson on Discipleship. David had been lambasting the Western Christians for their highly materialistic approach to the Christian life. He was not surprised that the Church lacks the power to effectively evangelise the lost today and that when an effort is made from a sense of duty, it is to say the least futile because the words are devoid of the power of God and as such, they are unable to impress or convict the unbeliever. He also mentioned the fact that people out there see nothing at all that they can identify with among professing Christians. They are not impressed or attracted at all to us. They have been able to see many so-called believers as hypocrites. Do you blame them? Sinners love Sinners passionately because they all do the same thing. Do Christians truly love fellow Christians. We profess one thing, and we often do the opposite. Have many Christian Brethrens today been able to demonstrate true love to one another as the early Church did and their numbers grew rapidly? The Bible say they were in one accord and fellowshipped together (Acts 2:1). By fellowship is meant they prayed together, shared their food together, helped one another (Acts 4: 32 - 35). All these things they did together were very visible to the unbelievers of their time. What was the expected result of their way of life? Was God pleased? Yes, God was pleased and the Holy Spirit worked powerfully amongst them confirming his presence with them with great signs, miracles and wonders. The people of Antioch were amazed to see these striking similarities in the life pattern of Jesus and the early Christians that they called them "Christians" (Acts 11:19-26). I.e.  "Christ followers". God is the same, yesterday, tomorrow and forever. It is us who are not serving God in truth and spirit like the people of old did.

The truth be said, many of us Christians are far from being 'Spirit filled', but we are quick to claim that we are 'Spirit filled'. How can worldly, materialistic and self-seeking people be Spirit filled at the same time as being worldly filled? If anybody is truly spirit filled, his life will radiate the presence and glory of God. People, even the unbelieving world will be drawn to this glory. They will be attracted to his shining light. Miraculous things will happen. Sinners will be converted to Christianity. Remember Stephen, Phillip, Peter, Paul and others were all Spirit filled.  We need to study the lives of these Apostles in other to appreciate the remarkable difference between their lifestyles and accomplishment relative to that of modern-day Christians; especially many professing to be 'Pastors & Apostles' today. The truth as far as I am concerned is that I am not 'Spirit filled' in the sense that the early Apostles were, but desires to be 'Spirit filled'. I am not ashamed of this fact, and it is on this basis that I have been crying out to God to weed out all the impurities in my life. The Holy Spirit cannot fill a dirty and un yielded vessel.  I am praying to God to release me from every weight that are hindering my walk with Him. We can be what the Apostles of old were. We can feel the same presence of God they felt and impact our world for Christ if only we are ready to pay the price they paid. Theirs was a life of self denial and absolute surrender. They presented their bodies to God as a living sacrifice (Rom 12: 1). They paid the price; they obtained the expected reward. They were profitable for the gospel and the advancement of Christ kingdom.  Are we willing to pay the price? For those who are craving to be used of God, for those who wants to experience the miracle power of God working through them, this is the question they must ponder.

Yet, the key to the supernatural, the key to winning the soul of tens of thousands and millions for Christ in this crooked and lost generation is found only in spiritual renewal and re-awakening. We must re-order our priorities. We must re-examine ourselves and the way we do things. We must admit to God that we have sinned against Him. We have let Him down. False ''Prosperity Gospel'' of 'name it and claim it Preachers' has replaced the true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in many Churches.  We have allowed ourselves to be lured into sleep by the enemy and we must repent. God is faithful and He will forgive us. He will remember no more our transgressions against Him if only we will repent and turn back to Him. Look at what He says in 2 Chronicles 7:14: " If my people that are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, will I HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SINS AND HEAL THEIR LAND". When God talks about healing, He means total restoration. This includes physical, spiritual, emotional, mental healing etc. Every facet of our lives will receive healing. We need to start praying seriously, seeking his face and turn away from our worldly cravings. The scriptures clearly warned us not to love the World, which will eventually be destroyed by fire. If anybody professing to be a Christian loves the World and the material things of this World, the love of God, the father is not in him (1 John 2:15 - 17).

The Holy Spirit will not fill an unclean vessel. The Holy Spirit will only fill and equip with power a ready and willing person. Whatever God is going to do in these last days is going to start in the House of God.  So, let's get ready for the coming latter rain. Let's get ourselves fully prepared. Remember the early Apostles and other Christians waited on God in the upper room for the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). They were pure, holy and fully sanctified to God. That is, they have been separated unto the Lord before the actual Holy Spirit Baptism and power came upon them. God is the same today, yesterday and forever (Heb 13:8). So, if this is so, God does not expect anything less from us. From time as far back as the time of Old Testament, before the people meet God or God comes into their midst, they must be consecrated unto the Lord. Without this, nothing will happen. So therefore, Brethren let's get rid of our cold, lukewarm and complacent attitude. We need to re-surrender and rededicate our lives afresh to God in obedience.  

BY: Jonathan Taiwo (GOLEM Director of Overseas Missions).