December 12, 2006
In light of the season, I wish wholeheartedly that I could write an article filled with merriment and glee, one filled with optimism concerning the future, saying that for the first time in a long time the Christendom is on the right track, that all is well, and as so many continue to hope, revival is just around the corner. Reality however, is far from optimistic, and although I could have held off on posting this article until the New Year, I felt it needed to be made public as soon as possible.
I say this with a heavy heart, but it must be said, the hour is coming, it is fast approaching, when those of the house of God must choose a side. Every one of us, claiming the name of Jesus, every one who calls themselves children of God will soon have to choose between being the persecuted or the persecutor. I realize the statement is shocking, but it was not intended for shock value. It is merely a statement of fact, one that is clearly visible taking into consideration the current events unfolding within the modern day church.
When one of America's most influential evangelical leaders can make the statement that Jesus Christ is not the only way to God, when we are willing en masse, to abandon core beliefs, and fundamental doctrine for the sake of the world's acclaim, it is inevitable that those who choose not to compromise the truth, those who choose to stand on the Word of God, will face the wrath of the compromisers.
The modern churches of compromise, and the world, have something in common dear friend, in that they both consider those who remain faithful to Christ, those who choose not to flirt with the world, and sell themselves, a stumbling block in the way of progress, an obstruction in the way of the perfect world they are envisioning, wherein we all serve the same God just by different names, and the deity, relevance, and necessity of Christ is nullified.
Lest we forget, Christ himself warned us of this soon approaching season, wherein the world, and those of the world would hate and despise us for His name's sake.
Luke 21:12, "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake."
Matthew 24:9, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
To those that insist on quoting scripture contextually, and think that I just picked two random verses that fit my view of what is about to unfold in the Christian world, please note that both of the aforementioned scriptures were within the context of the end times, they were the words of Jesus when speaking about the end of days, and His glorious return.
Yes, the true followers of Christ, will be hated due to the fact that they are unwilling to go along, just to get along, because they will valiantly continue to claim the ultimate truth that Jesus is the only way to salvation, that Jesus is the only way to God, and no man goes to the Father but by Him.
Very soon the true believer will be seen not only as a hindrance, but a hindrance that must be removed, and those illegitimate children, those who believe they know God, but whom God does not know, will mount a campaign against anyone bold enough to stand in the way of their agenda.
The time has come to choose a side, to know where we stand, to know what we believe, and know why we believe it. The time has come to prepare our hearts for the inevitable fallout, and persecution against the true children of God, to purpose in our hearts, as Daniel did, that we will not defile ourselves, that we will remain faithful, and continue to proclaim the truth no matter the consequence.
Those things which have been foretold, the selfsame things that so many scoffed at not so long ago, no longer seem so impossible, but rather very probable. I know that some are rolling their eyes, saying in their hearts, this could never be, but the times are changing, the shape of things is becoming clearer, and above all else God is not a liar. If we do not heed the warnings of Christ, if we do not prepare ourselves that we may be steadfast in the face of persecution, we have no one to blame but ourselves, for we have been warned.
The promise to the faithful remains true throughout the ages, in that if we confess Christ before men, He will confess us before His Father who is in heaven, but so does the warning, that if we deny Him before men, He will also deny us before His Father.
Today for the sakes of our very souls, we choose with whom we stand. If it be with Christ, and in Christ, know that although in the eyes of the world you may be in the minority, in reality you are in the majority. If it be that we choose to stand with the world, know that although you may have bought yourself some comforts, you may have spared yourself some persecution, the price you chose to pay was too high indeed.
I for one made my choice long ago, and echo the words of a mighty man of God in saying, that no matter what may come, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.