Book Review From Impact Global Online Library

Book Title: God’s General — Evan Roberts

Author: Robert Liardon

Everyone who gives in, to daily study about God, certainly will come out a refined person. Here in this book, Liardon tells the story, life successes and challenges of a great revivalist, Evan Roberts.

Evan, being born into a Christian family, at a tender age his parent, introduced him to studying the scripture. This stemmed up his love for the scripture. His hubby became, studying, memorizing and quoting scripture daily amongst peers and family members.

At maturity, the zeal for God became so massive that he could not comprehend why people who claim to be Christians could not love God genuinely. He could not understand the reason for so many doctrines yet not a single person can be said to be a true Christian.

Evan, having so much read the scripture, understood that there were lot of errors amongst Christians, as living the life of Christ that was supposed to be a drive amongst Christians was not seen or felt.

Evan’s friends convinced him to begin a public ministry, inorder to correct the errors and change the world, Evan accepted this advised, gave in to prayer, and started a small ministry of few persons at Wales, England, a ministry that gradually became a gathering of thousands. The ministry was geared to bring all back to the right path to God, and it was built on 4 principles:
I. Confession of all known
sin.
II. Searching out all secret and doubtful things in one’s life.
III. Confessing the Lord Jesus
openly.
IV.Pledging of one’s word that they will fully obey the Spirit’s leading

This public ministry yeilded quite alot of success as it became a revival, with a clear motive of heaven being the goal.

Liardon wrote, in this book: “The Wales revival meetings had no choirs or special ceremonies. There were
no offerings, no hymnbooks, no committees, no song leaders, and no paid
advertising. Leaders from denominations who were hungry for God attended the meetings. It is said that in one city, all the ministers exchanged pulpits for a day,
in an effort to break down denominational walls and establish unity. Even the
women were welcome to participate”

Evan’s revival within two years, gained international recognition and the population strength was huge. Yet Evan greatest fear was that someday, his congregation would see him in place of God. He felt that the people would depend on him and would love the work he does instead of loving God.

Evan was so very careful that he does not grant interview with any media both local and international nor does he allow his photograph to be taken.

With all his carefulness, Evan soon realizing that his fear is gradually becoming a reality, thousands of people wants to hear him speak but no body is interested in seeking God personally. The revival they want, is not a personal revival but they desire a go-between them and God, they wanted someone like Moses that will hear from God but no one wants to meet with God. Evan tried his best to correct this error but the more he tried, the more his critics increased, the media even tagged him a lunatic and an inconsistential fellow.

Evan not minding the criticism left public ministry, including his already booming established church in the hands of those who desire for Fame and leadership position.

Evan’s revival lasted for only 2 years before he retired into living a quiet no pulpit life, though, he was open to given a private counseling for those who seek the truth.

On his return to England, for his father’s burial, again thousands of people gathered to hear him, having been quite for 10years. The people’s desired another revival but to their greatest surprise, Evan, who now know the intent of the heart of man, disappointed them all by not appearing for the meeting.

Evan died living a quiet life at the age of 75. He understood the ministry is not an entrepreneural achievement. God can use you for a thing and stop you from continuing.

Summary:

You cannot revive a nation or people when their motives is wrong, at a time, in the ministry of Jesus even the 12 apostles were beginning to depend on Jesus instead of building a personal relationship God. Jesus never slacked in rebuking them for He knows the danger of them not working out their own salvation in fear and trembling. Paul writing to the Galatians, having observed same ills, said, “o foolish Galatians who has bewitched you, having begun in the spirit, you now live in the flesh— Galatians 3:1).

Also in 1Cor 3:15, Paul, rebuking the people of Corinth said “You say you are for Paul, and Apollos… Who is Paul…”

2. Evan was unable to channel his followers to the Holyspirit, though he tried. He was unable to teach them how to hear directly from God. So the people depended solely on him. Evan’s reason is that personal love and desire for God made him to understand God and he felt with repentance the people would search deeper for God.
3. Evan’s lived ahead of his era, in spiritual matters and none could understand his decision as most of his decision seems weird.

Finally, in my own little conclusion, Evan as presented by Liardon in this book, I will say, he is truly a man of the spirit.

God bless IMPACT GLOBAL ONLINE LIBRARY

Source: Impact Global Online Library