Towards the end of his life the revivalist Charles Finney wrote a small book called Revival Fire. I have been reading it, you can pick it up for only 99ยข on kindle. In Revival Fire Finney is in a reflective mood and is looking back at the differences he see’s in the lives of those converted in his earlier revival’s compared to those of later revival’s. He notices a difference. A difference that is of concern to him & in the book he attempts to give, as he puts it, a “fallible explanation”.
Finney was a controvertial figure and even to this day there are many who shy away from his theological position. I believe this is a mistake. It is said of those converted by the Lord under Finney’s ministry over 85% of them held true to their commitment and never turned away. By modern evangelistic stats this is a staggering percentage. So what was the key to Finney’s heart transforming impact? I believe that it was his understanding of Holiness and clarity on the all sufficiency of Christ. He did not pay these truth’s philosophical lip service and empty them of their power. But rather he was a powerful threshing sled used by the Lord to break up the fallow ground of men’s hearts, which gave the Holy Spirit the leverage he needed to bring thorough conviction of sin & righteousness in the hearts of men & women. I also believe his training/diligence as a lawyer & understanding of how to try a case was very useful to the Holy Spirit in the process of Awakening and Converting lost souls.
The “staying power” of those converted was also strengthened by Finney’s understanding & commitment to teaching the importance of the doctrine’s mentioned in the screenshot from Revival Fire;
1. The Atoning Sacrifice of Christ,
2. The Indwelling & Energizing of the Spirit,
3. Holy Walking & Communion with Jesus,
4. Being led by the Spirit,
5. Denying all ungodliness and every worldly lust,
6. Living above the World,
7. Entire & Universal Consecration,
8. Being filled with all the fullness of God.
So as a Pastor I had to look at this list and wonder when was the last time I taught on any of these areas? Is being ignorant of these doctrine’s a problem? I really think it is. I think they matter. It may even be THE problem. Ignorance of what Jesus has done on the cross is not wise. So at that moment I resolved in my heart, and asked the Holy Spirit “If you will teach me these things … I will give myself to them.”