Living Wisely as Canadian Christians
Eccl. 8:2-6 and Romans 13:1-10 (NLT)
Happy 134th birthday Canada! All across the land today many impressive speakers with impressive speaking ability will try to pump up the sometimes not so hot Canadian patriotism. Fireworks, great performers doing their stuff to fuel the red and white fervor. Maybe some where on some stage in Canada, Joe Canada will appear with the “I am Canadian” message made famous by a beer commercial. And we should be more than a little proud of our country. For where would the world be without paint rollers, green garbage bags, zippers ,Zambonis, toboggans, five-pin bowling, electric organ, electric car-heater or multiplex movie theatres and ginger ale? Did you know that these were Canadian inventions? The world would be a much poorer place if it were not for some contributions from our countrymen. Furthermore, it is arguably the most ethnically diverse country in the world. Just look around us, we have Koreans, Germans, Chinese, Portuguese Brazilians, sitting together, worshipping, enjoying God together.
Comedian Rick Mercer feel great about being a Canadian:
’’I just always feel. . . that we won the Lotto and anyone who was born in Canada or has come to Canada, you won the Lotto,’’ says the star of CBC’s hit comedies Made in Canada and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. We are not going through major problems, some may want to argue with since we are having transit strike, nurses threatening to leave Canada for the US, that will burst your bubble but hey, at least it is not bullets, missiles flying around your head. Also, this is my first Canada day as a Canadian. Proud to be a part of that wonderful, at times weird country we call home, it is no.1 in my books, best country in world to live in.
Text this morning … Obey the king? What for? esp. if you have followed the thought throughout this book where the writer declares that “everything is meaningless”. Yup, that is the premise of this book, the guiding thought, that says all we do is chasing after the wind. It is a futile exercise. Who can grab the wind? So why expend energy in even thinking about life, about Canada? In our country and context, we should ask - why should we obey the laws of this land? We might as well forget about contributing to the well being of Canada when everything is meaningless. Let’s rebel, that’ll be more fun, let’s break the laws. Gay pride parades are almost everywhere now, abortion, drugs, no more photo radar - there is an obvious decline in the moral fabric of our society. What’s the use?
1. PRACTICE OBEDIENCE
Yet Eccl.8:2-6 tells us in the context of book where it is a given that “everything is meaningless”, it is a wise thing to practice obedience. That’s my first point. Today as we contemplate this passage of Scripture let us hear what God is saying through this writer of Eccl. Can you imagine…what if no one obeys the laws, it’ll be chaotic. Can you imagine a place where you are living, where every moment you feel in danger, get mugged, killed, sexually assaulted, your kids get abducted? Surely, we do not want this to happen. Yet we see lots of disobedience of the law esp. in our living rooms. Disobedience is cool… revenge theme in Chinese tv serials movies, mercy killing such as the Latimer case, sexual exploitation ala Ally McBeal, you can’t get what u want beat up somebody such as Jet Li, Jacky Chan, with the instant gratification message
Not long ago the presidents of NBC & CBS & ABC met with congressional leaders in the US to discuss the increasing incidence of violence shown on TV, & to try to determine whether or not this had any impact on society. Of course, they argued that TV really doesn’t have any effect on what people think or do.
But aren’t these the same executives who charge advertisers hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars for each TV commercial with the argument that TV advertising, if repeated often enough, really produces results?
Well, I was amazed when one of the TV executives, trying to shift the blame, was quoted as saying, "Can it be that there is some sinister force at work in our country that has nothing at all to do with the media?"
I wanted to say, "Yes, sir, there is a sinister force at work. And one of his main tools is the media." If our kids are constantly immersed in that kind of environment, their eyes seeing violence & immorality being shown over & over again, then can we expect anything else in their everyday behavior? You think they will be model citizens??
I submit to you that our kids today need to see more and more models of clean living. They need to see that these models of law and order are a benefit to society and not a killjoy to have around. Everyone benefits when there are people actually practicing obedience. No one is having fun when there’s killing all around you, ask the folks who lived through wars in Bosnia, in the Middle East, those who survived terrorist attacks? So to live wisely as Canadian Christians in a meaningless world, we need to be the models in obeying the law. Obey the king is cool because everyone benefits and is helped, so we can have less victims of violence and crime. Obey the king is not an uncritical acceptance of the British monarchy, it is really about respecting others and loving others as Christ would want us to. We need to show that the world that it is fun and beneficial, that it is not meaningless to obey the law. We should be doing what the national anthem says “from far and wide O Canada, we stand on guard for Thee. God keep our land, glorious and free.” We stand on guard, keeping this land glorious and free with the help of God, as we obey the laws of this land and become model citizens in an increasingly meaningless world of violence.
That is why in NT Paul says the same thing in Romans 13:1“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (NIV) So as our country becomes more violent & more pagan & more anti-God, I think it is important to consider what God is reminding us to do as Christian citizens of Canada. Got to remember that Paul wrote to Christians living under a pagan government, telling them how to maintain their integrity as good citizens even in a pagan & immoral land, so we can’t say that it was different then. It is still very much the same!
So he writes obey the government, even in context of Roman gov’t oppressive, when Govt is not meaningful to Jews…
Tell us why:
a. “for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God.”
Point here: God is sovereign over govt. It is God who raise up govt and topples govt.
llus. Romans 9:17 – God raised up Pharaoh – Israel’s torment.
1 Kings 11:14 – God raised up Hadad the Edomite from the royal line of Edom to oppose Solomon,
Daniel 4 when King Nebuchadnezzar claimed that he was the real reason why he is great: “Is this not the great Babylon I have built as a royal residence, by my mighty power and of the glory of my majesty?” God quickly humbled him and let Him know that He was the One in charge, not humans. Dan.4:31ff. (NLT)
31 “While he was still speaking these words, a voice called down from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.”
33 “That very same hour the prophecy was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws….36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and officers sought me out, and I was reestablished as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble those who are proud.”
Numerous examples I can bring. The point is - God is in charge. That we have Chretien in charge of Canada, or Campbell now heading up BC’s govt is not because of these guys’ political savvy but God’s choice.
Why obey the government of Canada? V.1 of Romans 13 says “for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God”
Hence to resist the governing authority is actually “refusing to obey God”, we know somehow to obey them is right if not, our conscience will not be clear (v.5). To tie in to the context of Rom.13 to resist govt is really a way of saying I choose not to love, as you will see later.
Paul also tells us a couple of reasons for God setting up government
a. restrain evil by putting the fear of God in bad guys (v.3) Government is supposed to make sure that evil does not rule the land. Evil is to be squelched by the laws & power of government
b. “to do you good” by helping us get rid of bad guys “to punish those who do wrong” (v.4)
it is the gov’t who bears the sword here, not Christians
So today we celebrate Canada day, that we have a country we have a great and fantastic and good gov’t
Count your blessings, that it is not Emperor Nero, as in days when Romans was written.
So celebrate Canada day and obey the laws of this land, not merely because it is our home for now. Because we recognize that God put it there. Canada will not exist if God did not allow it to exist. It is by God’ s sovereign choice that Canada exist today with our government however unlikable they are to you or I.
Celebrate Canada day not because we’re best hockey nation in the world, but because when we obey the laws of this land it is also an act of obedience to God, and really about us loving the lost as well.
Now there is one exception to the rule. And that is whenever the law of the land conflicts with the Law of God. Then, as Canadian Christians, we are to obey the Law of God & not the law of this land we call home. Living wisely means we follow the ultimate Ruler, not the dictates of any human ruler. Two examples:
1. Story of Daniel: When Daniel was told that he could not pray, that was the law of the land. The Law of God said, "You are to pray." Daniel went ahead & prayed even though he disobeyed the law of the land.
2. Story of Peter and James: When Peter & James were told not to teach or preach at all in the name of Jesus, that was the law of the land. But they disobeyed the law of the land & obeyed the Law of God as they continued to preach in the streets about Jesus, even though they were arrested & tried because of it.
It may not be long until the government begins to tell the Christians what we can believe and not believe in. Perhaps there will come a time when we cannot call homosexuality a sin because that would be considered a "hate crime". And when we cannot live out what we preach, it is time to stand up and be counted. Martyrs of the Christian faith have shown us by their examples that we must not give up standing for God’s truth. Living wisely means we always choose God’s path no matter what the cost. That’s the price of discipleship, to follow our Master Jesus!
One preacher said it well: "But please realize that we accomplish very little by rebelling against government. You can usually accomplish more if you work within the system." Such as the recent case when Trinity Western University was vindicated for standing up for the freedom to instill, teach and require high moral standards for the teachers they trained in their setting inspite of the bullying tactics of the BCTF. Supreme Court of Canada did the trick for us!
2. PAY TAX - “Don’t try to avoid doing your duty” (v.3)
Roman text does a better job of pint-pointing our duty,
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended them to do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. 8 Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God’s law. (Rom.13:6-8)
So we pay our taxes, & the government builds us parks & playgrounds & highways, & provides services that we cannot provide for ourselves. That’s the purpose of government - to do good. If we were left to ourselves, we will never enjoy the quality of life we right now. So we pay taxes to have govt do good things, KEEP on doing the work God intended them to do. They are God’s servants and they need to eat too and have an income! It is interesting that Paul ties loving neighbor together with paying taxes, isn’t it? Love neighbor by paying taxes so that services can be provided. Imagine health care, police force, E.I., it won’t be to help our neighbors, if no one pay taxes. When we pay tax we are actually directly involved in letting govt that God set up to do the good work He intended for the benefit of all. Pay tax- is actually reflecting God Matt.5:45-46 you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. 46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. I grumble when tax-time, but as u can see it is good to pay tax. If we don’t do this we won’t have govt. Out of luck, for the services they provide. Also sp. Principle involve that is, we need to give out as well, if we want to see improvement, to hold back, no benefit to anyone including you.
3. PRAY WELL – “Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. …even as people’s troubles lie heavily upon them” (v.5,6)
I submit to u that we who are wise will find time to really pray. Numerous examples of people in trouble in Scripture and what do they do? They cry to God, don’t they? Bring your troubles to God… If there’s a most right thing to do as Canadian Christians, today it is to start praying for a revival. Pray that lost folks will turn Christ, that the churches today will look outward not just inward and be culturally relevant to a lost world. It makes no sense that we hang on old ways to do God’s work as people are troubled with marriages falling apart, soaring prices of energy, food. We must find a time and a way to do right. Toynbee, historian, noted that civilizations die off because of internal moral decay.
Pray for Canada!
2 Chronicles 7:14 should be read every July 1. God says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves & pray & seek my face & turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven & I will forgive their sins & I will heal their land."
And if we work together in prayer, as a church, we can make things hum again for the good of our neighbors Canada. Shouldn’t we do this, is this not a right thing to do, pray, seek God’s face and repent in all humility? Don’t we want to bless our neighbors? Let them know that life isn’t meaningless, that God has come and showed His love in Christ, to become the light to the nations offering grace as God in Christ offers grace to us. Perhaps this day, can’t see what’s purpose, feeling that everything is meaningless, I ask u to trust God’s purposes by obeying Him, esp. when troubles weigh heavily, look beyond yourself and know that God has placed u here at such a time as this to make a difference. Let’s start by praying for healing, pray well, for Canada. We know somehow all things will work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. No one knows the future, only God. So let’s go to Him, depend on Him for our neighbors, for Canadians to make this place we call home a better place.
In prayer, it is always right and timely to bring concerns of our nation to God. Let’s do it!
We are free this morning, living in a land that is the true north, strong and free, that is the envy of many nations. People are illegally coming in because they know it is great to be here. So let’s not take it for granted. Let us stand on guard for Canada and believe God will keep our land glorious and free, as we pray well, pay tax, practice obedience. But the greatest freedom that you have is the right to make Jesus Christ the Lord & Savior of your life. You won’t live in Canada forever but to be truly free and live forever, know Jesus! Real strength and freedom is found in our God who is sovereign and rules over all, even Canada!
