The Burden of Knowing

Nowadays, some things have become so obvious even the spiritually obtuse are beginning to see them. Granted, those whose eyes are beginning to open are the selfsame individuals who mocked and ridiculed those warning of these days long before they were visible, but not everyone matures at the same pace, and some just take longer to come to terms with what they are seeing than others.

Like any terminal disease, the sin ravaging this nation is beginning to weaken the host. The weaker the host gets, the quicker the disease is able to do what it does, and so the pace of destruction is accelerated exponentially. Every terminal disease has one singular purpose: to destroy its host.

Make no mistake, sin is a terminal disease. It is a disease only repentance and the blood of Christ can cure, and since Jesus has become anathema, and fewer folks than ever before know what repentance means, the death of the host is only a matter of time.

Throughout it all there have been those who would not defile themselves. Throughout it all there have been those who guarded their hearts, obeyed the word of God rather than the words of men, and anchored their faith in Jesus, knowing He was the only safe harbor in the storm to come.

It is from these selfsame individuals that I’ve started getting a considerable amount of correspondence, all asking the same question, just wording it differently.

The following is an e-mail forwarded to me by our office which encapsulates the question I am referring to quite nicely, and since the office didn’t forward an e-mail address, I will answer the question in this post.

Aloha, Pastor Boldea,

I'll keep this short because I know you are very busy...

First some encouragement: I've been reading your blog and listening to your teaching series for several months now; thank you SO much for your faithfulness in pressing on regardless of opposition. I'm sure I'm not the only one being edified, encouraged, convicted and taught through HOH.

The weariness you spoke of? I have felt the same weariness...Wondering if there is anyone who will pray - who is praying and seeking God without any other agenda but to cry out to Him. Where we live, it is spiritually dead. Stagnant complacency and well-ordered programs run the church buildings here. With all humbleness I say that I was privileged to have grown up in the presence of the Lord, seeing the pattern of intercession leading to true repentance, and waiting on the Spirit to direct the service and experiencing such precious times. My heart aches for my kids because I want my children to know His Presence, to know what worship really is - not this praise and worship musical performance we see today. We don't want our kids to grow up believing what they see in church is what following Christ is about, so we simply have home church.

My question is if one of your future posts or recordings could be for those of us who DO see reality and are heartbroken... What is our part in this time? Obviously to pray and intercede, but many times I am at a loss on HOW to pray. Can we pray that there be a mighty revival that shakes this nation - like Argentina experienced in the '50s? Or is the time for repentance and revival sealed up now? Does this question even make sense?

May the Lord continue to lead you and grant you His wisdom,

Anna

The essence of the question is this: Knowing what we now, what is our responsibility toward God? What do we do in light of the times we are living in, and what does God expect of us?

Before we get into God’s expectations of us in times such as these, I feel as though a disclaimer is in order.

For some time now the household of faith has found it difficult to differentiate and separate general doctrine from personal convictions. There are certain general truths which apply to the entirety of the Body, and there are personal convictions which apply to individuals.

Today we will be discussing the general truths, those things which apply across the board to the entire Body of Christ.

This is important because some are called of God to a specific task, commanded to do a certain thing, then take it upon themselves to make general doctrine of their personal convictions.

Coldhearted as the following might sound, we are saved as individuals and not as a collective. As such, there comes a time when we must, as individuals, work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Although the following is a list of general truths, it is still incumbent upon us to do them as individuals. They are in no particular order, but if we are honest with ourselves we will assign the appropriate place to each one depending upon our predispositions.

1. Learn to hear the voice of God clearly, for yourself, without surrogates or proxies.

2. Be established in your heart, and know the promises of God for you.

3. Be equipped to lead, be humble enough to serve.

4. Pray for repentance in lieu of revival, for there can be no revival without repentance.

5. Strip your heart of preconceived notions in regards to how and when, just believe that God will!

6. Give up the illusion of control and surrender your heart to God in its totality.

7. Search your heart diligently, and do away with anything that does not bring glory to God.

8. Live what you preach!

9. Don’t get distracted by what others do. Follow Jesus and Him alone.

10. Live with the expectation that you will be persecuted and purpose in your heart to remain faithful to the end.

Although I could readily expound upon any of these ten things at length, I believe wholeheartedly those who desire wisdom, will understand exactly what I was trying to say with each point.

Our duty as believers – whatever calling God has called us to – is to be living epistles of Christ, and living testimonies of what Jesus does in a heart that receives Him.

God grants us knowledge of what is to come not as a burdensome thing, but as an encouragement, because if He already knows what tomorrow holds, then He’s already made preparations for you and me and all who belong to Him.

With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.