And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Luke 12:4
As I chatted with my grandson a while ago, the subject came up about the centennial of our country. I told Robert about the events that I could remember in 1967, the year that Canada became 100 years old. And then, I reminded him that, although I would not live to see our country’s 200th birthday, he probably would. I can imagine that the events that will celebrate that milestone in our country’s history will be much different from the events that marked the 100th birthday. For that matter, society as a whole will be much different. In the more than 50 years that have passed since 1967, we have seen radical changes in our world. On the plus side, we have seen the fall of many Communist regimes, the eradication of smallpox, the development of vastly superior modes of transportation, and, depending on how you look at it, the emergence of the information technologies that fuel today’s communications. On the negative side, we have seen the wholesale collapse of morality, the devil’s highly successful assault on the family structure, and the ugly rise of Islam in all its evil forms, to name a few. What will change in the next 50 years? Current trends indicate that by 2067, faithful Christians in Canada will be in perils that our text today is describing.
We feel pretty safe in our Western world, knowing the laws protect us from violence by those who hate our Lord, unlike those in Communist, Moslem, and Hindu lands who are dying today for their faith by the hundreds daily. But our laws are changing as evil forces gain control of the law making processes. Already the courts are ruling in favour of the persecutors of Christians who come into conflict with the promoters of homosexuality and abortion on demand. Legislation is already being drafted to make criminals of any who refuse to openly endorse sinful lifestyles, and that legislation will become law if particular politicians are elected to government. Because of its clear condemnation of homosexuality, our King James Version Bibles will be outlawed within a relatively few years, although the modern language versions of the Bible may be spared because of their wishy-washy stance on this sin. Another growing threat to our safety is the rapidly swelling ranks of the Mohammedans with their agenda of killing or enslaving all who do not embrace their satanic religion. Are we to fear all of these things? Our text says no.
We need to be aware of the coming threats to our liberty and our ability to function as Christians. But in our text, the Lord Jesus is reminding us that our enemies are able to persecute us only so far. Regardless of their victories in stifling the open preaching of the Gospel and in declaring our righteousness to be evil, they cannot touch our souls. They can destroy us financially, socially, and even physically. But we are safe in the hands of our Lord forever! – Jim MacIntosh