Author Blackaby Says Much-Needed Revival Starts With Repentance
by Allie Martin
April 29, 2004
(AgapePress) - A well-known Bible teacher and preacher says most Christians lack a true understanding of revival.Dr. Henry Blackaby has written a number of devotional guides and Bible study resources for believers, including the popular Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing His Will (LifeWay, 1993), as well as titles like Spiritual Leadership (Broadman & Holman, 2001) and Hearing God's Voice (Broadman & Holman, 2002).
Blackaby recently commented to Mission Network News that a majority of Christians in America are defining God's blessing in terms of large crowds at church services and other events such as concerts and conferences. However, the Christian author says "largeness of attendance" and "the blessing of God" are not connected, and the need for spiritual awakening and true revival in the nation is greater than ever before.
While many in the Church are redefining what the blessing of God is, Blackaby says, "at the same time God is crying out, 'That's not what I'm looking for.' You have too much sin in the life of God's people and too much sin in the life of many of the leaders of God's people."
According to the theologian, true revival only comes when God's people confess and renounce sin in their lives. "What's missing is God's people don't want to admit that they have departed from God," he says.
But when believers acknowledge their sin and turn their hearts back toward God, Blackaby asserts, spiritual awakening becomes possible. Along with confession, he says, specific prayer is a vital ingredient of true revival, and spiritual awakening is a byproduct of such revival.
And although the ordained leadership can play a crucial role in setting the direction for a church, Blackaby says a true movement of God will begin with lay leaders. He cites a biblical precedent, noting, "There's no question that when God went to put together those that were going to turn the Roman Empire upside down, they were all businessmen. They were laypeople."
Blackaby points out that the only one of the apostles God selected after Pentecost that had any official religious orientation was Paul. And still, the biblical scholar notes, God did not send even Paul out without lay helpers and companions, such as the doctor, Luke. "So if there's going to be a mighty move of God across the land, it will certainly take place in the life of the average believer," Blackaby says.
