This week’s post on revival is about why people don’t get God, or should I say don’t want to get God.  I had an interesting conversation with someone this week about our church.  They were concerned about a certain issue.  I explained where we stood on that issue and that I thought it was important for the church to take a stand on what is right and wrong.  The person disagreed with me and thought the church should not take stands.  Then Wednesday night there was the first Republican primary.  Many issues came up, but a certain one came up.  In the after show it was mentioned, by a conservative host (a famous one) that yes, this issue is dear to the Republicans, but if the republicans are to win, they must go more to the middle on that issue.  The host referenced our state of Pennsylvania, that as a consequence of holding to a set of values it cost them in the last election. 

God is about absolutes.  This is wrong and this is right.  The world wants to blur those lines.  I think ideally the world wants people to think nothing is really wrong, it is just how you look at it.  Everyone can’t be right.  This has now trickled down to the church.  Many denominations have decided to go against what the Bible says.  Many say we live in more enlightened times and the Bible needs to change.  There are other denominations that now say the Bible is not the authoritative word of God.  Some every say that traditions of men should trump what the Bible says. 

What does this do?  It undermines the need to live a holy life.  God expects and wants us to strive to be Holy.  I Peter 1:15-16 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”  We will never be perfect, but we are to strive to be holy.  As we do God then as a good father blesses and encourages us.  When we begin to question God’s Word or try to make it fit into this world, what do you think God thinks?  Wonder why God is not moving like He did in the book of Acts, here is the reason.  God is not going to bless compromising behavior.

God wants us to take a stand for His Word because it is THE TRUTH.  This is hard.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.  Jesus knew this would not be easy, and Jesus knows mankind will take the easier way.  But nonetheless Jesus is looking for people to stand.  Ezekiel 22:23-31 sure seems like it is written for today.  In verse 30 God is looking for someone to stand up.  No one does.  Bad things then happen to the people of God.  God is still looking for people to make a stand.  The good news is it doesn’t have to be many.  God plus one is always a majority. 

Standing for the real thing can be dangerous when you think you are outnumbered, but here is the thing the truth is the truth!  John 8:36 says the truth will set you free indeed.  But it is scary, yes, it is, but standing for God makes all the difference, because when you do God has to act on your behalf.  Mark 16:17-18, and these signs WILL follow those who believe.  Why because God knows you are out there, and He must rise to defend you.  It is what God did time and time again for the early church.  Here is the thing, when we don’t stand, which is so much easier to do.  Then guess what God has no reason to stand and do the miraculous for you.  It is why revivals are so amazing because of the power that is behind them.  God never wanted you to not have that power.  He wants to do amazing things all the time.  That is the point of the Book of Acts.  It is a blueprint.

When we don’t make those stands then false doctrines come up, like cessationism (most of the gifts are no longer active).  I have questions for those who believe that.  Is the devil and evil still at work?  Was not Pentecost a gift to the church to deal with that?  If evil and the devil are still doing their thing, why in the world would God ever stop blessing His people?  The answer is He wouldn’t.  

God wants to save the whole world.  That is what God says is winning.  But God needs the people in the church to make a stand and say this is what God says is right and wrong.  This is what it means to be holy.  Yes, we won’t be perfect at it, but are trying to get better all the time.  Then God will move on His people with power and wonders that defy imagination.  Why?  To validate those who are willing to take a stand.

In Ezekiel 22:23-31, God was just looking for one, and God can do a lot with one, but what if there are two, then three, and so on.  Imagine what God can do to change the whole world, including your world and those around you. 

Read God’s Word on your own, ask questions when you don’t understand why Pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, and prophets are given to the church, and then do what God says no matter what the popular opinion is, and God says you will win in the end all the time! 

Then people will see the difference in your stand, see God move in your life, and then they will get the love God and that God is there for them too. 

When people see someone take a stand, and then see that stand vindicated, they then go this is real. Then they are open to revival in their lives. When that happens watch out, and watch the revival fires burn uncontrollably across the world.

Remember Jesus loves you and cares for all of you, I love and care for all of you, and you are all awesome!