You may be feeling down today after what’s happened over the past few days in our Parliament buildings. I know I am. Why do I feel this way? I think it’s because, as a good friend of mine said, “We’re old enough to know what we’re losing.”
Never in a million years would I have ever guessed that Canada would become what we are today. There is plenty of blame to go around, and so I’ll start with me.
I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. In my sin, especially before coming to the Lord, I actively participated in the degradation of society. I broke pretty much all of the 10 commandments, and more importantly, I didn’t care. Even now, as a minister of the Word, I see areas in my life that need to be constantly killed, (Rom. 8:12-13) as the old me rears his ugly head from time to time. It has happened more and more lately as I have hatred in my heart for our government, and for our police. This is sin. The scriptures tell us “be angry but do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). Anger is an emotion that is appropriate at times, and this is certainly one of them. There is much to be angry about. However, just because anger is justified, Christians are not to indulge in sinful thoughts, words or deeds.
We are not to have hatred for our brother (1 John 3:15; Lev. 19:17). Each of us must repent when our anger carries us away into sin. Give it to God, He can handle it. When we give in to our fleshly desires, we contribute to the degradation of society, and make matters worse, not better. Christian, pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5). Don’t act foolishly (Eph. 5:17). Know that the Lord is on His throne, ruling and reigning today (1 Peter 3:22).
Remember “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
John Maclean – Die Hard 1
As usual, the obvious question for the Christian is “What do we do?” Especially for those of us that are post-millenial in our eschatology, don’t we have something to do? Certainly. (Eph. 2:10).
First, what I found most helpful was the entire 5th chapter of Ephesians. There is a way in which all Christians should conduct themselves, and this chapter spells them out. Give it a read.
Second, the spirit has given you gifts to build up and edify the body of Christ (Rom. 12:6-8). Do those things, concentrate on the responsibilities that Christ has given you, and be faithful in those.
Third, be thankful in everything (1 Thess. 5:18). God has a purpose for all things, even evil things (Gen. 50:20).
Fourth, pray for our politicians (1 Tim. 2:2). They need our prayer, badly.
Fifth and final suggestion, reach out to those struggling. The church seems to advance the most when tyranny is at its highest. People know instinctively that there is something seriously wrong with what’s going on, but the foundations for their ethics and reasoning are being exposed as insufficient, leading to a feeling of hopelessness. This is where the church is supposed to shine! What greater hope can you have than the cross? (Psa. 33:22) What better protection can we have but under the wings of our Lord? (Psa. 17:8) Christian, we have what the lost world needs, and there is never a better time to offer that hope than when people are crying out, but do not know who they are crying out to! Give them the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)
Chris Cousine, Pastor
Covenant Presbyterian Church
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27
Covenant Presbyterian Church 