“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment . . . And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear”
(James 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:17)
Those of us who were raised in the western world, especially those of us who lived through the 1970’s and earlier, were trained to believe that our government institutions were in place to protect and defend the rights of their nation’s citizens. We were led to believe that we lived in a free and democratic society, one in which a person’s innocence is presumed until he is proven guilty through due process and in a court of law. We were also led to believe that the laws of the land acted as a great equalizer, ensuring that all people would be treated fairly regardless of gender, race, social status or political affiliation. Sadly, over the last several years any suspicions we may have had about our government’s integrity were confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt. In both Canada and the US, we see the reigning political parties being led by the most scandalous characters in our nations’ histories. We likewise see these powers using their authority to weaponize various branches of law enforcement to attack and silence their political opponents. All the while, the mainstream media, which used to pride itself on holding truth to power, now acts as the government’s propaganda arm. The truth is buried. The law is ignored. Rights are trampled. We may wonder why the Lord allows this to continue. Perhaps He wants us to learn by experience, decisively and undeniably, that man cannot govern himself. Perhaps He desires that our prayers for the Kingdom to come be made with greater sincerity before He returns to reign and rule on the throne of His father David (Matthew 6:10; Luke 1:32). We, after all, are to be “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:9). That is, we ought to be earnestly desiring, urging onward, the coming of the kingdom. Man has had many days, millennia in fact, to learn to submit to God and govern himself under His headship. God promises that one day His patience will run out and He will have His day, the day in which He will return in glory (Matthew 16:27; 24:30; 25:31) to judge and make war in righteousness (Revelation 19:11). The Lord will sit as Sovereign over the created order (Isaiah 9:7). He will purge from the earth all things that offend (Matthew 13:41) and we shall reign with Him (Revelation 5:10). “Fear not, little flock;” promised the Good Shepherd, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), and worthless tyrants will one day be conspicuous for their absence. Maranatha!
Lift up your heads, dear saints, our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28)
God bless,
pastor john
English