The King's Church in Ilford
The following is the text of the talk given on 9th August 2009 by Robin Hawkins
"Obeying God Rather Than Man"
(Robin read from an article on Christian Discrimination. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to reproduce this.)
Preaching the gospel faithfully will get us into trouble - sooner or later. We've been saying for a while now that the persecution of Christians in this country is coming. Well, it's come. What we are reading in the press are the beginnings. There will almost certainly be worse to come. British society is turning against Christianity. People don't like to be told there is only one way to God - through Jesus Christ. They certainly don't want to be told that God is going to hold us accountable for our lack of moral values, that any sex outside of the marriage between a man and a woman is wrong. We need to remember that it's the homosexual lobby that's pushed through a lot of this equality legislation.
Only this last week, a family doctor was suspended from an adoption panel for maintaining that in her professional judgement, a child's best interests were not served by putting them with same sex couples. Equality legislation was given precedence over the Children's Act. She has since been reinstated, but as a non-voting member of the adoption panel.
These guidelines that are being used against Christians have been drawn up by the British Humanist Association. Their bias against Christianity is evident. We need to remember they are only guidelines, and as such, can be challenged. Jesus was always challenging the "guidelines" or interpretations of the Law that were taught by the Pharisees. Thus a lot of Christians who are falling foul of these rules for taking a stand for their faith, are getting these decisions reversed, and tribunals are often finding in their favour - at the moment!
So how should we respond to this kind of persecution? How should a Christian behave in the workplace anyway? We need to remember our employer has bought our time and skills. We need to give them value for money.
- Be on time. Work diligently, not just when the boss is looking.
- Don't gossip. Don't evangelise during working hours.
- Show integrity. Don't lie. Let your word be your bond.
These things are a powerful witness in themselves. Be yourself, but be wise. If you're asked what you did at the w/e, tell them. "We had a great time at our church. This lady got healed when we prayed..." People will soon know what you are, and what you stand for. Before long, they'll be asking you questions. Have a supply of your personal tracts ready to give to those who ask you.
But laws are being made that are being interpreted one-sidedly. Things that the Bible says are wrong, we're being told to accept as good and acceptable. Laws are being enforced that overide our consciences. So should we always obey the law?
Let's remind ourselves that Romans 13 tells us that there is only one source of authority in the universe - God. He delegates some of that authority to humans for the good ordering of society. When Pilate tried to throw his weight around with Jesus, Jesus reminded him he wouldn't have had any weight to throw had God not given it to him (John 19:11)! So governments are make laws that keep evil in check. Do they always get it right? No, but we're generally better off with imperfect government than with none at all. However, sometimes they say we can't do things which God says we must do - like preaching the gospel; or taking Bibles into their country. - It's usually one of those two issues. Then we have a conflict, which is where Peter found himself that day when he faced the rulers of Israel. Peter's famous response, of course, was, "We must obey God rather than men." - which is what they ultimately did, in spite of more dire threats.
But this was the first time they'd faced this kind of opposition, and it must have been a bit intimidating. These were ordinary guys, just like you and me. They had fears and had to be concerned about providing for their families. We'd feel the same if our office manager said to us, "If you say any more about your faith to clients or colleagues, you'll be sacked." A lot of us could find ourselves in that position. I think to start with, it made them afraid. But then they went home and talked it through with the others. That helped them realise their fear was misplaced, but it was still real. Why else pray for boldness? This kind of attack from the enemy trying to silence us can loom very large and threatening - until we look at it for what it really is, and where it's really come from.
Then having talked, they prayed - and what a prayer! Did they pray for the persecution to stop? No!! They focused on the God who is sovereign over all the earth, all of its nations, and all of their kings. They went to the Scriptures that affirmed all this. They quote Psalm 2 which goes onto say that God sits in Heaven and laughs at the paltry efforts of rulers to stand against God's Messiah. This was the right perspective. God's perspective. He was in charge!
When my old company were trying to sack me for being too honest, I believe God said to me, "I'm not going to let them do that to my children." - and He didn't. He had to get rid of most of the other salesmen in order to do it, but in the in end they asked me to stay on, and then gave me a 30% pay-rise. I remember writing this song at the time which had the line, "Why should I join the union - when I'm the Chairman's son!"
I digress. The disciples prayed on - and having got God's perspective on the whole situation, they prayed, "Lord, look how we're being threatened here. Get us out of here!" No they didn't, did they? They said, "Lord, give us boldness (and courage) to keep on speaking out your word. Do mighty miracles of healing. Confirm the message preached with signs and wonders. Let Jesus be exalted." God was clearly pleased with the spirit of this prayer because He gave a mighty "Amen" - so much so the place shook with His approval!
And so the gospel continued to advance, and many got saved. But in ch. 5:17, the priests got upset with them again, and threw them in gaol. But an angel came in the night and set them free. At daybreak there they are, back in the temple, preaching as before. Wouldn't you have loved to have been a fly on the wall as the priests and rulers got together that morning only to be told the gaol was empty, and their prisoners were back out in the temple preaching their hearts out! Can you imagine their consternation?
And here's the problem they had, and that we have. There were times when God sent an angel to open the prison doors, and there were times when he didn't - witness Paul and all those years he spent in prison. We can see God's purpose in it now. We'd be without half the NT if Paul hadn't been incarcerated all that time. There were also times when God delivered Peter and Paul, even our Lord Jesus, from death, and times when He didn't. He allowed Stephen to be killed, and then James, the brother of John.
There will be times when God will deliver us from our persecutors, perhaps by raising up a Gamaliel, an unbeliever, who will speak on our behalf. But there may also be times when He can advance His purposes more by not delivering us from persecution. We might well shy away from the prospect of martyrdom - laying our life down for Christ. From His perspective, it's a great victory. We're going home. We're going to see Jesus. No more pain, no more evil. No more of this rotten world. But it's not just the death that has sowed the seeds of the church, it's been the way Christians have died - not as fanatics, blowing themselves up and as many as they can with them. Rather, with courage, faith, and serenity, many have faced their death rather than deny their Lord.
So how should we respond when it's our turn to face discrimination and persecution. Should we simply turn the other cheek and allow ourselves to be done unto? That would not be how the Bible portrays it. Peter gave a stout defence of his actions and faith. So did Stephen. The outcomes were very different, but that's not the point at the moment. It's true that Jesus kept silent and chose not to defend himself, but He had chosen to go to the cross. That was God's Will for Him. His will for us is to be His witnesses for as long as we're able to be.
So, use the legal system. Paul did. He defended his ministry in the Jewish courts and the civil courts. In the end, he appealed to Caesar. So where we can do something, do it. Go to an employment tribunal. Appeal against injustice. However, when there is nothing you can do, get God's perspective. He's in charge. Praise Him as Paul & Silas did in the gaol in Philippi. Show that you trust him completely, then see what He does. We can be sure that whatever the outcome, God will ensure that it is the one that will bring him the most glory.
Be encouraged. We are in a fight, but our God reigns, and he is totally involved with us, and He will have His victory in the end. Amen!
