One of the basics of our Christian faith is repentance. Our journey begins with repentance, and repentance is an ongoing feature of it. All of the world’s greatest revivals began with repentance.
Perhaps the most significant revival I have read about is the one that began with H.A. Baker, an American missionary who lived in China. It started when the Holy Spirit began to pour out an overwhelming conviction of sin on a group of children. It was so intense that these orphans would lie on the floor sobbing for entire days at a time. They would hide under desks and in closets, because they were so convicted and broken.
What have they done that was so bad to deserve such conviction? Absolutely nothing. They had been used as child laborers in the tin mines, which were run by ruthless people who had no intention of paying them. They were abused. Most people would want to care for them, restore them, build them up, love them but not tell them to repent and come to Christ. We would want to show them the love of God! Yet seemingly, before they knew anything about salvation or the love of God, they were made aware of their sin; they ran to Jesus to ask His forgiveness.
This is what the Holy Spirit does: He highlights the difference between the nicest, most normal people and our holy God. He reveals the vast difference between our ways and His ways. His ways are higher than our ways like the sky is higher than the sea. There is an impassable gulf between even the most excellent, worthy human being and God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The scripture above makes us know that we have all missed the mark. Real revival cannot begin until we realize how much we need God. Revival cannot happen until we realize how utterly dependent, we are, and must be, on God. If we long to see His supernatural power poured out, that journey begins with utter humility and sincere repentance, with fully acknowledging His greatness and our need.
Perhaps the most significant revival I have read about is the one that began with H.A. Baker, an American missionary who lived in China. It started when the Holy Spirit began to pour out an overwhelming conviction of sin on a group of children. It was so intense that these orphans would lie on the floor sobbing for entire days at a time. They would hide under desks and in closets, because they were so convicted and broken.
What have they done that was so bad to deserve such conviction? Absolutely nothing. They had been used as child laborers in the tin mines, which were run by ruthless people who had no intention of paying them. They were abused. Most people would want to care for them, restore them, build them up, love them but not tell them to repent and come to Christ. We would want to show them the love of God! Yet seemingly, before they knew anything about salvation or the love of God, they were made aware of their sin; they ran to Jesus to ask His forgiveness.
This is what the Holy Spirit does: He highlights the difference between the nicest, most normal people and our holy God. He reveals the vast difference between our ways and His ways. His ways are higher than our ways like the sky is higher than the sea. There is an impassable gulf between even the most excellent, worthy human being and God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The scripture above makes us know that we have all missed the mark. Real revival cannot begin until we realize how much we need God. Revival cannot happen until we realize how utterly dependent, we are, and must be, on God. If we long to see His supernatural power poured out, that journey begins with utter humility and sincere repentance, with fully acknowledging His greatness and our need.
