PAYING THE PRICE FOR REVIVAL: REPENTANCE

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3:19

There is a price to pray for revival. Last week, we saw that we must pay the price on our knees in prayer. In this message, we are looking at the fact that we must pay the price for revival by repenting.

Repentance is a subject that we think is about “someone else.” We think that we aren't the ones who need to repent, but “others” certainly do. Some people think that repentance is a subject that needs to be preached to sinners. Certainly that is so. However, God's people need to regularly practice repentance. Conversion is just the beginning of a life of repentance.

If you read the New Testament, you'll find that John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul were among those who preached about repentance.  Repentance is very much a New Testament word.

If we yearn to see revival in this generation, we must face the reality that repentance is needed. Let's not fool ourselves. There is much to repent about these days, especially in the church. Many professing Christians are merely lukewarm at best. While we have nearly perfected the art of conducting church, we have done so with the noticeable absence of the Holy Spirit. Many are playing church while the world goes to hell. It is wrong, and even hypocritical of us, to expect sinners to repent if we refuse to repent ourselves.

When it comes to the subject of repentance, it is easy to pick on sinners and even the lukewarm church members, but the real issue is about the person you see in the mirror. Do you need to repent?

The psalmist prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” That is a dangerous prayer to pray … unless you mean business with God. Have you ever asked God to search you and reveal the results?

I offer you the same challenge that the missionary Bertha Smith used to give. Get on your knees and ask God to reveal the sins in your life. Write them down, confess them and repent of them fully. You'll find that the experience is like taking a warm shower.

Repentance is the key to personal revival. You may experience revival yourself this very day by repenting of your sins and getting close to God. James wrote, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” We like to quote the first part of that verse, but we neglect the last half. The Lord only allows clean people to enter His presence.

Repentance will require humility and honesty --- two virtues that are rare these days, even in the church. There is a price to pray for revival. We must repent and come clean with God. Those who practice repentance enjoy the sweetest fellowship with Jesus.

Repentance is a price worth paying.