Friday, November 19, 2010

Why I Weep!

I originally wrote the following for the hand of help e-newsletter that is coming out shortly, but after pondering it for awhile I decided to post it on the web log as well:

What has become of God’s mighty men? What has become of the warriors of God’s house? Where are the battle hardened, those who know how to wage spiritual war, those who acknowledge the fundamental truth that the enemy we face takes no prisoners, and our only option is to stand and to fight and to overcome the darkness on its own turf?

With the old guard, the previous generation, the old soldiers all but gone to their eternal rest, having fought their fight and received their reward, what has replaced them can be likened to many things, but none of the things they can be likened to is a warrior of Christ. Where once the motto of the believer was ‘onward Christian soldier’ it has been replaced by the new and less catchy motto, ‘avoid confrontation at all cost.’

The standard lays in the dust, the banner of truth is hidden away, rather than be ashamed of their sin, men are ashamed of the Christ who bought them with His blood, and the new self appointed generals of God’s army would much rather attempt to talk the enemy to sleep, or better still wave the white flag of surrender than run the risk of chipping one of their manicured nails, or heaven forbid wrinkle their three thousand dollar suit.

The godless mock; the saints stay silent! The Word of God is trampled underfoot; the saints stay silent! Sin is running amuck, closet doors are squeaking on rusty hinges, and preachers, and leaders, and evangelists are coming out shameless in their shame, and the saints stay silent!

We have become cowards to our core, to the very marrow of our being, but rather than fess up to our cowardice, rather than admit that we are spineless and weak willed, we attempt to justify it by invoking tolerance.

Long forgotten is the command that we are to hate evil, long forgotten is the command that we are to strive for holiness, long forgotten is the command that we are to be light and salt and truth in a world of darkness and deception. No, not us, not this generation, we have more important things to worry about than standing for truth or having the courage of our convictions.

We look down on those who suffered, and bled and died for the cause of Christ, we scoff at the sacrifice of our fellow brothers throughout the world, and rather than be shamed by their faithfulness, rather than be shamed by their selflessness, we defend our apathy by telling all who would hear that they’re suffering and dying because they didn’t have enough faith to believe for prosperity, they didn’t know the secret combination to unlocking vast fortunes, a blessed life, an adoring public, and an easy ride on the heaven express.

We have lost our ability to blush! We have lost our ability to be convicted! The church has descended toward the deepest bowels of lawlessness and sin, has shunned righteousness and holiness outright, yet still has the temerity to say ‘we will lead you out of the darkness into that glorious light of truth!’

As for the soldiers, they are on furlough. ‘No battle here, nothing to see, move along. We thought we’d have to stand up for Jesus at a certain point, but then the world set us straight, and showed us just how profitable compromise can be. We have crossover artists, crossover preachers, crossover churches, all integrated, interchangeable, and flavored to everyone’s taste. It’s just the strange folks, the outcasts, those on the outskirts of modern Christendom that still believe there is an enemy to be confronted, a battle to be fought, a war to be won, and a crown to be had. They’re the folks that give us tolerant all embracing Christians a bad name.

Diplomacy that’s the ticket, not these antiquated ideas pulled from spiritual reliquaries of the past like holiness unto God, the fear of the Lord, or sanctification. Those people just didn’t know about the power of the double portion, and the hundred fold return, they were just ignorant. So what if God did miracles by their hands? So what if the lame walked, the blind saw, the deaf heard, and demons were cast out of many? They still didn’t have what really matters; they didn’t have wealth, and gaudy mansions, and indoor pools, and fancy cars and expensive watches. So what if all we have is a form of godliness? So what if we are weak and powerless and absent of conviction? We have stuff; lots of stuff; expensive stuff!’

And so we march to the beat of our own drummer, we are our own generals, we make the rules, change the rules, even erase the rules altogether, considering God’s Holy Word to be nothing more than an arbitrary self help manual, but nothing really set in stone, certainly not something we will be held to account for in case we choose to dismiss it. We are after all ‘little gods’ are we not, and as ‘little gods’ we create the construct of our own personal universe.

Lie to ourselves as we might, there is one truth from which all of our self delusions will not shelter us, the fact that the gardener is here, shears in hand, and He has methodically begun to prune the tree in His vineyard, removing the dry and dead branches, the rotten fruit and all that He finds displeasing. He will be merciless in His pruning, that what remains might bear good fruit, that when He returns He might still find faith on the earth. May God help us!

With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.

34 comments:

James J. Fire said...

AMEN!!! AMEN!!! AMEN!!!

A.Brother said...

Michael:

Thanks for the heartfelt outpouring of your anguish over this issue. Having been raised and steeped in the traditions of modern evangelical Christianity, and having the hand of the Lord shake me and bring me to my knees, I know the kind of deep sorrow we can have, like Nehemiah, like Daniel, over the people of God.

Please visit my blog and read, comment on my teachings which are all about what has happened in the modern churches in affluent societies like ours. It is full of Biblical truth, and hopefull stirs up men to become Christ's true disciples, those who are giving all, and are prepared for giving whatever it takes.

http://narrowgatepub.blogspot.com

Your brother in Christ,
A. Brother

Patient Pilgrim said...

Dear Micheal, Thank you for your challeging word. I think a careful reading of Ezekiel 9 may compliment your last paragraph. God Bless you

Ezekiel 9

9:1 Then He cried out in my hearing with a loud voice saying, "Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand." 2 And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his shattering weapon in his hand; and among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

3 Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. 4 And the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst." 5 But to the others He said in my hearing, "Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity, and do not spare. 6 "Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary." So they started with the elders who were before the temple. 7 And He said to them, "Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!" Thus they went out and struck down the people in the city. 8 Then it came about as they were striking and I alone was left, that I fell on my face and cried out saying, "Alas, Lord GOD! Art Thou destroying the whole remnant of Israel by pouring out Thy wrath on Jerusalem?"

9 Then He said to me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city is full of perversion; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!' 10 "But as for Me, My eye will have no pity nor shall I spare, but I shall bring their conduct upon their heads."

11 Then behold, the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case reported, saying, "I have done just as Thou hast commanded me."

NAS

Anonymous said...

Ah, brother Mike - there are those who have not yet been manifested for the world to see, a remnant of God's chosen who have been in the secret place learning at His feet to be the warriors that you seek. Behold, the day approaches that all will see and know that God has indeed been actively purging His chosen few that He has reserved for such a time as this!!

GardenSERF said...

Dry your eyes. There's work to be done.

Dwight Trotter said...

Much as Elijah was oblivious to God's true moving in the earth during his time, perhaps you need to understand that just because you don't see anyone who measures up to your own standard as a "mighty man," it's not your standard that will be used. The Lord has, and always has had, His men, His soldiers, His remnant. Do not be guilty of entering into judgment of His servants. You, as a mere mortal, cannot possibly know everything He has ongoing. Be sure you are fulfilling your god appointed role, and leave the judgment of others to The Judge.
I submit this to you in His love and service.

photonsoflight said...

There are still a few of us speaking the truth, warning others that the end of this age is upon us. Like Noah in his generation we are ridiculed as foolish men still believing in fairy tales. Turn now to God I say, while he still may be approached and repent for a time shortly will come when he shall cloak himself with thick clouds and no one may approach him. When the majority of people realize the truth that was spoken to them, it will most certainly be too late for them. I agree with your article. May the God of Abraham bless you.

Unknown said...

Michael..Peter and Toni DePaoli here..amen brother...it needs to be said..we were just talking about this...look on our website..www.reclaimingvictory.org for the lastest newspaper article on "Taking a break from God"

Blessings to you..P&T

Anonymous said...

I have never responded to something I read like this, but I am not going to let this lie. Thank you brother Michael for being the the master of the blatantly obvious. You sound just like Elijah whining in the cave that he was the only one. Let me tell you something bud. There are those of us out here who the Lord has shown things about spiritual warfare that people like you can't even imagine. We don't even know each other. You won't see us in your Babylonian church buildings or on the idiot box. We're in the trenches. We get dirty. We have neither the time or the inclination to be known by men.
And as for the past generations, I wouldn't wax that proudly. While never questioning their love for, and commitment to the Lord, their refusal to actually understand the devices and plans of the enemy has allowed satan to run roughshod for 3 generations. THAT'S why we are where we're at today. Satan's soldiers sit right beside you in your churches and you don't even know it! You are so wrong my brother. There are mighty men and women performing great exploits every day! You grieve the Spirit by selling the Father short. Stop looking backwards. The battlefield of yesterday is not the battlefield of today! He is I Am, not I Was.

Anonymous said...

Brother a big "AMEN". Dull of hearing and blinded by the world, we have left our first love.

In Christ on the Fringe

Paul said...

Amen!

The Strong Watchman said...

Thank you for publishing this article. It resonates with me. The pruning is coming and most are clueless as to why.

I reposted your article on my site with proper attribution and a link back to your article.

http://www.thestrongwatchman.com/christian-world-view/55-commentary/580-what-has-become-of-the-mighty-men.html

Thanks and God Bless.

Anonymous said...

Michael, Stop your effeminate whine and the whimsical hand wringing. You are embarrassing to read. Grow up already, become a man....oh, that's right....too late for you to grow up. You're one more example of the poison of pacifism. I guess it's up to the rest of us to defend little girls and cowards such as yourself once again.

Unknown said...

Dear Michael,
God Bless you for a truly heart felt post. As a 60 year old believer in our LORD JESUS and a Vietnam era vet, I say AMEN! to this article. We must stand against evil as believers and be willing to give our all, even our lives for our LORD. Thank you again for this convicting, and most heart rendering post. God Bless you Michael in JESUS Name.

BRUCE LEE said...

PREACH IT BROTHER MIKE!!!

I got my sword at the ready and have no compunction cast out demons and preaching the gospel without compromise..Count me on board!!

Who else will join and get in the fight against satan and his hosts of hell?

Anonymous said...

I weep, too. My heart is in great, sore heaviness for my fellow Christians, for the American Church, for my country, for my own sin.

Anonymous said...

Well said Michael! A message the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart, which I preached this past week was on this very subject. The greatest sin the Laodicean church of Revelation 3 was that they were quite comfortable to exist in the presence of sin and wickedness rather than confront it, waging spiritual battle against it wherever it was to be found. Their attitude toward evil was, "If you will leave me alone, I will be content to leave you alone". Of course, the glorified Christ declared He would vomit them out of his mouth. It is my earnest prayer that the Holy Spirit will stir the hearts of His people that we may all become mighty men and women of valor in His Kingdom.

Pastor Burl Norton

Anonymous said...

The reason for the decline and downfall of Babylon-America,is simple:Lawlessness. It is the fault of the Church Fathers who have departed from the instruction of the laws of God through error and misunderstanding of the scripture. This is why the fathers proclaim we are no longer under the law, pushing "grace" to the point of harlotry, but can't reconcile the fact that the 10 commandments, in part or whole, is reiterated throughout the New Testament many times. Also, if the "law" was really done away with, then there would no longer be any standard to judge sin. Jesus also said that he came to fulfill and not destroy the law.
In sum, the power to judge sin is in the law - Romans 2. If the law is forsaken, you forfeit your authority to judge sin. This is why there is rampant sin in the church that leads to a decline in society.

Anonymous said...

I have no idea whom you are talking about, Michael. Exactly who is it that isn't being those men of God they are supposed to be? You? Me? Other dedicated and committed people who serve the Lord with all their heart?

Listen! I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and I know other Christians who love Him just as much, if not more. But you know what? There is NOTHING we can do about the fall of this country. Absolutely, one-hundred percent, nothing! It's over.

God's judgment has begun to come down on this beloved country of ours and neither you, me, nor anyone else is going to be able to stop it. Don't believe me? Read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel or the other prophets; when Israel had forsaken God, God judged them. And since we have virtually no real Christian representation in Congress (give or take a few), it really is over, my friend.

Further, the lack-luster and lukewarm stride in which the so-called "church" walks today, and the fact that when all is said and done, few really serve God the way they He calls us to serve Him, we shouldn't be surprised (You didn't think, now, did you, that most everyone who claims to be a Christian are telling the truth, did you?!)


Thankfully, though the true church--a remnant, who will always stay sold out to God--will always survive and push forward. Read the book of Acts for examples. But it is NOT their job to play politics and try to change Rome. That just ain't gonna happen anymore today than it has ever happened in the past. We do what we can, but when the hammer of God begins to come down, we can pray, ask God for a stay, but that's about it.

So, you really need to addendum you post with something that acknowledges the faithful remnant, and that truth that it isn't abnormal or uncommon for only a remnant to exist when the men get separated from the boys.

Thanks,

Keith R. Starkey

Anonymous said...

Don't worry -- there are a lot of us being vocal amidst Satanists, new agers and atheists. We pick our moments and let Jesus and our Father shine.

Anonymous said...

Amen Brother! So what are we going to do about it? The Body of Christ as it exists in this country is largely reprobate or asleep or both at the moment and people won't go beyond the milk of the Word into the meat where real self-examination, conviction, and Holy Spirit led action comes into play.

15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

18Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Joel 1:15-18

where are we going? said...

Certainly inspired by God and so true. The world today is going its merry way as in the days of Noah. Beware!

Anonymous said...

That puts it in a nutshell....but be assured that the "Christian" solders arrayed for the battle are here. Be assured, He keeps a remnant.

Anonymous said...

yep, we're all cowards. it's sickening. i always think, if someone were to point a gun at one of your loved ones and say to you, "Deny Christ and I won't shoot them," what would our response be?

Anonymous said...

If they were to receive an invitation to Buckingham palace, dinner with the queen, the paintings n sculptures, gold n glory, the quartet playing in the garden, they would think to themselves "what glorious majasty". What a privilage to have been summoned.
Forgetting before whose throne, they will someday stand.

rs.

Jason Olvera said...

Amen brother! I agree whole heartedly. I recently wrote a similar post. It is hard to believe what has become of the church in this day; for she is not even a shadow of her former slef, but then again God did warn us of such day. However, I do believe, as you yourself stated, God is preparing a people who will not compromise, who will not lay low the banner, who will not bow their knee, but they will be storng, they will do explits, and they will bring glory to the King of Glory. Hallelujah! God Bless and keep you.

Pete Kasbohm said...

Sadly it reflects the end of age as stated(but not only in) 2 Tim 3-5. Without cleansing and repentance the spirit of this age will be evident in our hearts and manifest in our homes and our churches. We should be stirred and challenged to do our first works. If you as a reader are clean rejoice, if you as a reader are wearing garments spotted by the world - embrace the refiners fire. How is it the Apostle Peter was one moment used by God and another moment a voice of compromise and disobedience who Jesus rebuked? All of us, if truly honest are not always completely obedient and consecrated to the cause of Christ.
God has convicted me..Thank you Bro Michael for this word.

Louis Nel said...

Don't be a sheep following sheep.Lay aside your churches' traditions making the Law of God to no effect. Which days does God command holy congregations? Where does Christ command us to worship and serve Him for His birth and death with pagan symbols? Lawlessness leads to more Lawlessness.God's people goes astray because of a lack of knowledge and becuase they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Don't decieve yourselves. Follow the true Shepherd and all He has commanded in His Torah and you will soon expierence great persecution and reviling where you will have to fight the good fight.

(Proverbs 28:9 NKJV)
"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination."

Yuri Richardson said...

Shalom,

I've been very stirred by the tone of some of the comments here.(we can disagree without being carnal) I'm a regular visitor to this blog and comment seldom. And the post made by Michael are very insightful and encouraging.

However, in looking at some of the comments are today, (which are an index to the sentiment of the heart) we know that the wheat grow with the tears until the harvest. We see that the tares are even now being bundled together for the burning. Yes, Yahshua is gone into a far country....and is allowing everyone (wheat and tares) to manifest their true nature, without interference. The fruit of righteousness, and unrighteousness has all but come to maturity. And yes, even now the harvest is come.

And soon the flames of persecution of yester-year (and now in several countries...is coming to the western world with a vehemence and fury which will unite the Natzarim of Yahshua and purge out the wood, the hay, the stubble.

Anonymous said...

A new christianity must arise in America which is really the old christianity. The church in America has exposed itself and now the fatal blow will be cast. A time comes when no real christian will be found in most churches. The churches in America will suffer and out of suffering some will choose Christ and some will choose Antichrist.

God bless.

Anonymous said...

In one place in the bible it says that even for 1 righteous person God will do a lot for a nation. Many go around pronouncing woes against this nation, that it's going to see the presecution of the Eastern nations. It's going to be judged. It's going to be invaded. We don't know what God will do because of that one righeous person! Let's fear God, trust in Him, read His Word because all else around us will pass away but not his Word, and let's hope in His mercy! These are all important things for a Christian to do!

Anonymous said...

When I first read this it really resonated. But having shared Revelataions 18 with some people in regards to the earthquake in Japan and being totally mis-understood, (how can I explain it's the symbolic EMPIRE that is punished, I'm not saying Japanese are punished because they are prostituting themselves!) I went back and re-read it, to be sure of no mis-understanding again. Sure enough, you can be of a completely opposite point of view from mine and also agree with this writing.

In speaking of Christian warriors, do you mean the military is right to wipe out the Muslims? Or is it spiritual warriors (how I read it)? The "lawlessness and sin" - does that refer to churches who want members to welcome homosexuals or the way churches are prostituting themselves to get bigger buildings, more numbers in the pews, more money and more stuff while the rest of the world starves?

I have to go to a meeting tonight to confront a church that spent $1.5 million on an elevator and installed a computer room for Sunday School but gives less than $10,000 to charity and wonders why it is a dying congregation. I'm grasping at straws here, because I feel no matter what I say they don't HEAR me.

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Tim Shey said...

Very powerful messages. Thank you for this.

“Spiritual Christians look upon the world not as a playground, but as a battleground.”

– A.W. Tozer