CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE BRINGS REVIVAL
A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.--The Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902.
True reformation will never take place if revival is absent.
Too often our focus is directed to reformation at the neglect of revival.
Scripture indicates that we are "dead in sin" even though we are alive physically and in desperate need to be "resurrected" or "quickened" by Holy Spirit.
It is likened to the resurrection of Christ from the dead!
Jesus says, "Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out."
When the repenting sinner comes to Christ, conscious of his guilt and unworthiness, realizing that he is deserving of punishment, but relying on the mercy and love of Christ, he will not be turned away. The pardoning love of God is appropriated, and joyful gratitude springs up in his heart for the infinite compassion and love of his Saviour. That provision was made for him in the councils of heaven before the foundation of the world, that Christ should take upon himself the penalty of man's transgression and impute to him his righteousness, overwhelms him with amazement, and calls forth from his lips words of praise and songs of gratitude. {ST, January 2, 1893 par. 5}
Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. To many it has been a mystery why so many sacrificial offerings were required in the old dispensation, why so many bleeding victims were led to the altar. But the great truth that was to be kept before men, and imprinted upon mind and heart, was this, "Without shedding of blood is no remission."...
But today we are living when type has met antitype in the offering of Christ for the sins of the world; we are living in the day of increased light, and yet how few are benefited with the grand and all-important truth that Christ has made an ample sacrifice for all! What justice required, Christ had rendered in the offering of himself, and "how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Those who reject the gift of life will be without excuse; "for God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."{ST, January 2, 1893 par. 7}
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Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 2:4-10
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us (raised us to newness of life)
together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
He has raised [us] up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
In beholding God, we not only gain a deep sense of our own unworthiness; which humbles the heart to realize our utter helplessness, but with this comes the assurance of forgiveness, full and free to all who come seeking His righteousness. That forgiveness is free only because Christ has purchased it at great cost to Himself, to purchase for us release from the curse of sin. When we, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit begin to comprehend this we arise changed. We have caught a glimpse of the loveliness of the divine character. We can testify of the transformation wrought through beholding Infinite Love. Such will be inspired with longing desire to see others set free from the burden and penalty of sin.
"Why should we be stricken any more?" the prophet Isaiah inquired. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, (you are no longer under the penalty the law demands of you for Christ took that penalty in your place) but under grace (justified by the blood of Christ)
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; (the law no longer has the right to condemn you to death and tell you that you cannot be connected to Christ because of your sins, as Christ paid that penalty with His death) that you should be married to another, even to him (to Christ) who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
