One Step to Revival

    Revival is not a one time thing.  This is, I believe, the key to understanding true revival.  True revival happens when a disciple of Jesus Christ is filled with the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18 states, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." Continuing on, Paul tells what a Spirit-filled person acts like.  Now you can get all wrapped up in the first phrase of the verse and never make it to the second part, but I am not interested in having a conversation that focuses on picking apart Scripture and never living it out in life.

    Being filled with the Spirit simply means being under control of the Holy Spirit thereby impelled and empowered to do His will.  It is not indwelling of the Spirit, nor is it baptism of the Spirit, nor is it getting more of the Spirit.  I like how the commentators of the Liberty Annotated Study Bible put it, "Those who are saved do not need to get more of the Holy Spirit, but the filling of the Spirit occurs when the Holy Spirit gets more of the believer" (pg. 1838).  Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a suggestion in  Ephesians.  Instead, being Holy Spirit filled should be a normal state for believers.
    It takes continual surrender to God's absolute authority in your life.  So if you want revival in your church, community, nation, etc. you must understand and submit to this important truth.  Revival starts with you.  You cannot force a revival in anyone, but you can submit to the Holy Spirit's authority over you and allow Him to work in you and through you to accomplish God's purposes.

"Be filled with the Holy Spirit" involves three steps of surrender:

1. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is passive.  This means you cannot fill yourself with the Holy Spirit.  God does it as you submit to Him.  Submit your heart.

2. This is a plural statement.  That means that it is for all believers, not just some.  You must submit that God knows what is best for you and surrender to His leading.  Submit your mind.

3. It is ongoing.  Meaning that it needs to be repeated, continuous action.  There is one Spirit baptism at the moment of salvation and there are many fillings as you life a life of absolute surrender to God.  Submit your life.

 
What is the one step?  Be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Come to Him empty and let God fill you with Himself and watch the power of the Gospel in action.

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