In desperate need of a revival of holiness-Part 1

In desperate need of a revival of holiness-Part 1      

1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Extra Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-25.

I just want to start by saying that in the Christian life we should have before us the ideal of perfection, and make the necessary sacrifices to attain it, by the help of our Father, God. Most of the people I speak to regularly are too satisfied with their spiritual experience and that is not okay. While we shall not reach absolute perfection in this life, the pursuit of holiness will save us from losing ground spiritually, and will ever bring us nearer that ideal. I want to assure that in this life we can experience sanctification which will find us perfectly surrendered, cleansed and filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-20). We shall then know the secret of a victorious Christian life, and will progress continually towards the ultimate perfection that will be ours at the return of Christ (1 John 3:2-3). One thing we should guard against is to be too satisfied with the state of the world, with the state of the church of God, or with our own spiritual condition. How can we possibly be satisfied with the world in its present terrible state? And how can we be satisfied with a weak and worldly church?

While we thank and praise God for the good work and witness of Christians in every country, we are conscious that there is much sin and backsliding in the church, and that there is an urgent need of revival among the people of God. This revival must begin with the best Christians, those who are earnest in prayer and longing after holiness in themselves and others. We should emulate men like John Wesley who was never satisfied with spiritual state. He longed to be effective in rescuing perishing multitudes of people following him. He prayed, preached and planned with ceaseless energy, for the attainment of his ideal. The other one Mother Theresa, a dedicated servant of God who worked among the destitute people and prostitutes in India. Before she died she said, “I love you Jesus.” She was later given a state funeral by the Indian government. She won more souls for Jesus and blessed more people. Glory to God! How easily satisfied some of us are to go to church and never think of bringing others to the house of God, nevertheless lead them to Jesus, or give more of our time, money and strength to the war against sin and sorrow.

Let us then be dissatisfied with our spiritual experience. Our Lord warns us that when we have done our best we must confess we are “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10). This honesty and humility will drive us to seek after holiness. When Paul called himself “less than the least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8), this was not at the beginning of his ministry, but at the end of his Christian pilgrimage, after years of holy living and glorious achievement. He was not yet satisfied and by no means complacent. Let’s pour out our hearts for revival. It will never come if we don’t pray.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, put a deep hunger in our hearts for revival and holiness. In Your name, we pray, Amen!

Rev. Samuel N. Modise