RELATIONSHIPS & REVIVAL

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:31-32

Last week, I wrote about the need for churches to clean house.  Today, I want to focus on a sore spot in the American church.  One reason we are not seeing a sweeping revival in America is because we have unresolved issues in our relationships.

You see, as long as relationships are severed or hurting, revival will not come.  For many years, I have noticed that professing Christians have no problem being bold about their faith, but when someone challenges them about an unresolved conflict, they quickly become offended and make excuses.

God will not bless believers that live with ongoing sinful practices.  Included in this is our unwillingness to forgive and restore those who've offended us.  If we fail to repent of our offenses or Biblically forgive those who've offended us, we are guilty of sin. 

Please note that there are times for division.  Paul instructed the Corinthians to separate from an openly sinful man (1 Corinthians 5:13).  In his letter to the Romans, Paul instructed believers to stay away from those who are troublemakers (Romans 16:17).  In his letter to the Galatians, Paul instructs us to have a stern resistance to those who preach false doctrine (Galatians 1:6-9).

Let's be honest.  Most differences and divisions among Christians are not doctrinal in nature.  Selfishness is usually the cause of relationship problems.  An offender refuses to repent because of selfishness.  The offended party refuses to forgive and restore because of selfishness. 

Here are three major results of our relationship woes:

1.  GOD IS DISHONORED.  It brings shame and reproach to the Name of Christ for His followers to refuse to get right with each other.  The Bible specifically tells us what to do when we offend others (Matthew 5:23-24).  The Bible specifically tells us what to do when others offend us (Ephesians 4:32).  When we refuse to obey God's Word, we dishonor and offend God Himself.  We don't need more sermons about repentance or forgiveness.  We need to practice the sermons we've already heard.

2.  THE CHURCH IS DISGRACED.  The work of the church is hindered by the relationship problems of its members.  Churches cannot grow where there is discord among its members.  Revival is impossible in such an environment.

3.  OUR WITNESS BECOMES WORTHLESS.  When refuse to get right with others, our witness to the world is worthless.  Unbelievers secretly mock us.  They point to us as an example of hypocrisy.  Sadly, they are right.

In Ephesians 4:32, Paul instructs us to forgive, "even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Note several things in this command:

1.  THE MANNER OF OUR FORGIVENESS.  We are not just to "forgive" because others expect us to.  Instead, we are to forgive, "... even as God ... hath forgiven you."  If you claim to be a recipient of grace, you are now to be an agent of grace.  You are to forgive others as God has forgiven you.  How has God forgiven you?  He has removed your past offenses from the slate.  He has established fellowship with you.  Now He expects us to do the same when others offend you. 

2.  THE REASON WE SHOULD FORGIVE.  Paul tells us the reason that we should forgive.  We are to forgive for the same reason God has forgiven us.  "... for Christ's sake..."  The reason we are to practice Biblical restoration is because of Jesus.  We should forgive and restore for Jesus' sake.

I find that most parties involved in severed relationships blame the other side for the squabble.  Each party feels that they are innocent and the other side is guilty.  In some instances, one side may be guiltier than the other.  In most instances, both have guilt.  There is a need to practice Biblical restoration.  "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed."  Be honest about your mistakes.  Seek forgiveness for your offenses.  Be quick to Biblically forgive the offenses the other person is guilty of.  Keep in mind; you offended God much more than someone else has offended you.  If God has forgiven you of your horrible offenses, certainly you can forgive someone else.

It is wrong to pray for revival when your sinful behavior is keeping revival from coming.  It is wrong to expect others to come to Jesus through your witness, when you have open, on-going sinful behavior.  Get right with God.  Get right with others.  Honestly saying, "I'm sorry," and/or genuinely extended forgiveness may be the first step to revival. 

By His grace,

Nathan