It appears the evangelical Church in North America, in general, views the above sins to be unique to our day; that they constitute a departure of Canada from her Christian heritage; and that government policies are infringing upon one’s human rights, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion as citizens of Canada. But, do these issues constitute “the good fight of faith” the Church is called to fight [1Tim.6:12,20; 2Tim.4:7]? How can we be so engrossed in defending personal and civil rights and freedoms, when we know that our citizenship is in heaven [Phil.3:20], and our earthly citizenship is finite and temporal? How can we be surprised that governments are anti-Christian in their policies when Scripture shows that all nations are at enmity against the kingdom of God and under the sway of Satan [Psalm 2; Eph.6:10ff; Revelation]? Why are we shocked at the level of immorality in our day, when the immorality of the world has always confronted the kingdom of God and his righteousness [Genesis 19; Exodus 1; Matthew 2:16-23; 1Corinth.6:9-11]? How can we expect the civil courts of our land to defend our “rights”, when they would not even defend the innocence and sinlessness of our Lord and Saviour [John 19:28-38]? How can we judge the nations’ immorality when the current evangelical Church is dealing with so many sexual scandals and crimes within its doors? Are we “fighting the good fight of the faith” in these times? How should we be “redeeming the time”?
First, remember Psalm 2!
The nations of this world have always been plotting against God’s kingdom and righteousness and striving against our Lord and Saviour. They have always challenged the bonds and cords of God’s Moral Law, as well as God himself: who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice…? [Exodus 5:2]. Take comfort and hope in knowing the Lord our God holds these nations in derision and has exalted King Jesus above them all; and that Christ will break them as he builds his Church. Yes, we can warn them of the Lord’s judgment against their evil ways [Jonah], but our weapons are not carnal or worldly; they are spiritual: prayer, the gospel, preaching the Word, and faith in the Lord: Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him [Ps.2:12]. What did Abraham do when the Lord was determined to destroy Sodom? He prayed for the LORD to show mercy in judgment even on Sodom, for the sake of the righteous! What an example of trust. This is redeeming the time.
Second, remember Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 17:26-27!
Dear Christians, we are free in Christ, not by any edict of a government, but by God almighty, through faith in Christ. We are free from sin’s bondage, free from death’s tyranny, free from persecution’s power and fear, and free from eternal judgment. Why do we fear what man can do to us when God is with us and for us? It is in light of these freedoms, Jesus said, lest we offend [the governing authorities]…give [customs and taxes] to them… J.C. Ryle writes on this text: the Lord’s wisdom on this is deep. He teaches us plainly that there are matters in which Christ’s people ought to sink their own opinions and submit to requirements which they may not thoroughly approve, rather than give offence, and hinder the gospel of Christ. God’s rights undoubtedly we ought never to give up, but we may sometimes safely give up our own. It may sound very fine and seem very heroic to be standing tenaciously for our right, but it may well be doubted whether our tenacity is always wise and shows the mind of Christ. We may dislike the political measures of our rulers; we may disapprove of some taxes they impose: but the grand question is, “will it do any good to the cause of religion to resist the powers that be?” Let us remember this passage as members of society. There may be usages and customs which to us as Christians, are tiresome, useless, and unprofitable; but are they matters of principle? Do they injure our soul? Will it do any good to the cause of religion if we refuse to comply with them? If not, let us patiently submit, ‘lest we offend them.’ May we all remember the example of the great Apostle of the Gentiles: “endure all things, lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” [1Cor.9:12] This is redeeming the time.
Third, remember Acts 5:29!
We ought to obey God rather than man. Submission to governing authorities is not always an antithesis to submitting to God [Romans 13:1-7; 1Peter 2:11-17]. These words were stated in response to the explicit forbidding to teach in the name of Jesus. Have we been forbidden such? Then here is the line in the sand. Have we been restricted from gathering for worship? For many, the number of people who can gather has been restricted for a season, but that has meant more worship services to accommodate everyone. How is that a bad thing? The government has the right to limit numbers for safety [fire codes & health issues], but they have not forbidden gathering for worship. There is “the line” in the sand. Notice also, our Lord only ever engaged in defending himself against lies and reviling when the name of God or gospel truth was at stake. He submitted himself to unjust and evil men, to the end that the Father’s will be done. He committed himself to the one who judges righteously, rather than revile or threaten [1Pet.2:23ff]. This is redeeming the time.
Fourth, remember Matthew 6:33!
Are we called to stand up and publicly proclaim our disobedience? Are we called to engage in conspiracy theories, promote potential lies, or promote secular agendas against the government? Are we called to unequally yoke ourselves with others whose agendas are not for the kingdom of God and his righteousness? Are we called to hold forth our conscience on personal matters [like wearing or not wearing masks, being vaxxed or unvaxxed], to the degree that we separate from the Church? How have any of these measures “redeemed the time”? I found Liberty Coalition Canada’s call to preach a biblical sermon on human sexuality in opposition to Bill C-4, was couched in divisive language: Consider also the words of Martin Luther: “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ”…Rather than allow intimidation to mute our proclamation of the Biblical truth about sexual sin, we earnestly pray that all the churches of Canada who confess the name of Christ would come together and stand in the gap at this critical time (Ezekiel 22:30). I am unsure of the context of Luther’s words [no reference was given], but the world and the devil have been attacking human sexuality for millennia and will continue to do so. It is not a new thing for the Church to be branded by society in an evil way that spurs ignorant hatred against her. But there is a greater threat than Bill C-4 before the Church; it is the lack of readiness in the Church to endure persecution to the glory of God. If you are finding yourself stressed, embittered, lacking peace with people, etc – friend you are pursuing the wrong things. To pursue God’s kingdom is to pursue peace, holiness, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness [Hebrews 12:14; 1Timothy 6:11]. This is redeeming the time.
Friends, we are set here to be light and salt in a crooked and perverse generation, to declare the truth of who God is as Creator and Sovereign over all the earth, and the need of sinful man to be redeemed by the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is the “good fight of the faith”! We redeem the time by proclaiming the word of God in the light of Jesus Christ; by calling all men to believe the gospel and repent of their sins; by being filled with the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness, and truth; and by being submissive in the fear of God [Eph.5:15-21]. These, foremost, must define our character and actions in these evil days.