The Benefit of Revival

Revivals, unfortunately, are known and labeled as short periods of emotional highs. To some extent, this is a valid thought. But when we focus on these temporary emotions we are missing out on one huge benefit. We are able turn to the Lord for a natural integration of our beliefs into our daily lives. An ongoing life-transformation of our total being is the benefit of revival. Allow me to repeat it. LIFE-TRANSFORMATION is the benefit of revival. When we transform our lives to reflect the will of God, we reveal that "which is good and acceptable and perfect."¹ To experience the benefit of revival in our personal lives and within the body of Christ in America, we must look for a revitalization of our views towards the absolute truths which can only be found in the Scriptures. That is when our life-transforming perspective can begin to weave absolute truths into a biblical worldview. This biblical worldview will testify to our own personal life-transformation and bring us closer to living our lives within the will of God.

However, within the “church” in America, when there appears to be a lack of knowledge of Scripture, a biblical worldview rarely exists. According to the Barna Group, only 4% of the adults polled in 2003 hold to a biblical worldview.² So how will we ever see the benefits of a revival if we don’t hold a biblical worldview? The pollster George Barna confirmed this concerning question when he said:

If Jesus Christ came to this planet as a model of how we ought to live, then our goal should be to act like Jesus. Sadly, few people consistently demonstrate the love, obedience and priorities of Jesus. The primary reason that people do not act like Jesus is because they do not think like Jesus. Behavior stems from what we think - our attitudes, beliefs, values and opinions.

Although most people own a Bible and know some of its content, our research found that most Americans have little idea how to integrate core biblical principles to form a unified and meaningful response to the challenges and opportunities of life. We’re often more concerned with survival amidst chaos than with experiencing truth and significance.³

Revival can and will occur when Christians in America accept ownership of the absolute truths… and more importantly, hold to them. This is when we will begin to witness the BENEFIT of revival in our own lives. So what does a biblical worldview consist of? According to The Barna Group, a biblical worldview contains six specific views upheld by the 66-books within the Holy Bible.⁴ They are:

1. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life

When these absolute truths are revitalized in our own lives, the ongoing benefit of having a life-transformation is right around the corner. Not only will we understand how Scripture practically affects our decisions and actions, but we will also impact others around us. Change is contagious when it is authentic and real. People will notice and want to know the source of our different lifestyle. That is one way that revival will occur in many communities. It starts with willing and able individuals who want to make a difference for the kingdom of God in their own lives.

The benefit of personal LIFE -TRANSFORMATION through a biblical worldview allows each of us to impact those around us…

When we choose to believe Jesus and his word, we are empowered by His Holy Spirit. The Bible speaks of fruit, the product of the Spirit’s work as shown in our lives. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23). When the Spirit is in our lives, we can experience all of the fruit mentioned in this passage. People see our lives transformed, and this testifies of Jesus. Those around us take notice when we leave behind the patterns of the world and self-gratification.

Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:8). We enjoy the benefit of all the fruit of the Spirit, like peace and joy, while we also bear fruit in our communities as we sow into individuals’ lives and draw them into the kingdom. LIFE-TRANSFORMATION through biblical faith and the work of the Holy Spirit changes what we value and how we make decisions; it changes the product of our lives from weeds to good fruit. We no longer live just for ourselves, but for God and His kingdom. We see transformation extend to our neighbors and our cities, and discipleship begins to happen in the community.