Four Keys to Spiritual Vitality
Do you ever wonder why some people or even churches have spiritual vitality and others do not? What would it be like to live our normal, daily lives with confident faith and bold assurance that our contribution to the Kingdom really matters? Listed below are four keys to opening door of spiritual revival.
Readiness: The younger son of the Prodigal Son narrative in Luke 15 needed to get to a point in his life when he was faced with the truth. He needed to come to his senses. Sacrifice was required. Many people know this as ‘rock bottom’ and hitting rock bottom is the only way for some. For others, repentance is the ignition or the fuel. Once redeemed, we must be ready to fulfill the LORD’s commands. The first key is we must be ready.
2. Rooted Rhythms: Fortunately, this is not rocket science. Consistency is the second key. Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly practices that include prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, worship, communion, baptism, remembering our baptism, and meeting with others to discuss holy matters. Like the drumbeat to the march or the heartbeat to the believer, Biblical foundational practices provide sustained routines and postures for the believer to hear and do what the Word of God says and be acquainted with His voice.
3. Contending Prayer: Sometimes the battle requires all we’ve got! We can misinterpret challenge or roadblocks as evidence that God is against us. Consider when contending for a loved one or for your own spiritual life that God is contending with and for you. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) Fighting against strongholds. Battling the spiritual forces of darkness. Struggling with or even without God. This is what the People of God do. The name Isra’El actually means people who struggle with God. The third key is to contend—go to the mat if necessary. Trust Jesus that resurrection isn’t limited to the end of life—resurrection is the life!
4. Prevailing Prayer: Victory. Believe in the miracle of deliverance. The fourth key is prevailing no matter the cost. Fight the fight that leads to victory! Diligently work, strive, sacrifice to the point of victory. Talk about victory. Encourage one another toward victory. The battle is real. Jesus Christ is our triumph—He gives us the victory. (1 Corinthians 15:57) Never surrender. Never give up. These words are electric because they need to be true—in our personal life, in our marriage, in our family, in our church, community and world. Jesus Christ prevailed over sin and darkness. So shall we.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” John Stuart Mill, 1867.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
