Freedom Convoy 2022 Scripturally (5 min)

So it is January 31st in Canada and there is a lot going on. Interestingly enough I am studying Ephesians 6 which speaks so much about spiritual warfare and standing firm. Discernment is needed to apply both in every situation. It will be some time before I finish my in-depth study of this passage; but, I could not help but remind people about a key portion. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:12-17)

Over the past 2 years, I have witnessed the erosion of these rights “to keep Canadians safe”. While I believe the majority of Canadians have done everything in their power according to their consciences, I have seen an increase of intolerance for differing opinions that seemed to be endorsed by those in leadership. The evolving and growing demands of compliance that surpass the original goal for reopening are wearisome. Canadians have lived up to their obligations statistically. They have sacrificed their joy, peace, friendships, families, and livelihood because they wanted to believe that their governments would be reciprocally caring for the individual Canadian.

• “A Canadian is a Canadian“, the PM said.

Given all authority is under God, I thought I would just reflect on what our LORD has said because this is what unites us as Christians:

God expects us to be guided by the Spirit of God and avoid decisions made out of mortal fear:

• Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
• “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)
• For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (Romans 8:15-16)
• For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

God expects us to love each other and follow peace in righteousness and honesty:

• Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:12-14 )
• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
• He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

MOST IMPORTANTLY: OBEY GOD ABOVE ALL OTHER AUTHORITY

Since God is the One who has permitted human government, we are to be obedient to what He has established. He is the Sovereign Head over every authority.  It is written:

• Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Romans 13:1)
• Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

Also, remember that God has used evil authority to complete His purposes since God can not do evil but He can work it together to accomplish the greater good. The death and resurrection of Christ is a perfect example.

When the authority (whether regenerated or not) has failed to align themselves under God’s law, we are to obey God’s will first.   

This is the question to ask. Has the government failed to align itself under God’s law?:

• Have they ordered you to not assemble and not to sing praises to God?
• Have they ordered you to go against your conscience or the leading of the Holy Spirit?
• Have they ordered you to treat your body (the temple of the LORD) in a way that disagrees with what Scripture and the Holy Spirit are ministering to you?
• Have they ordered you to treat other people who do not agree with any narrative on any side as less than equal?
• Have the mandates prevented you from actively sharing the gospel with those who do not know?

Scripture states:

• … “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. (Luke 11:17)
• For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Hebrews 3:4-6)

Our Hope is in the LORD, not in man, and not reliant on the knowledge and abilities God has given man. While we are thankful for it, humanity’s knowledge devoid of faith in God has failed us and will fail us.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you have a Scriptural basis for obeying the higher authority which is God. Please consider very seriously whether you truly have a Holy Spirit prompting about anything written here. It is human to feel frustrated with our current situation. Having said this, please note that following orders or obeying authority is NEVER a licence to sin. It is written:

• But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (Acts 4:19)
• But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

This means two things:  We do not obey any authority that:

• (1) forbids you to obey God; and,
• (2) commands you to disobey God.  

If you knowingly disobey God’s command, you intentionally sin. If you do not rightfully discern God’s will resulting in obedience to an authority that disagrees with God, you are deceived. Both are wrong and result in a penalty; at times one seems to hold a more severe consequence.

• For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
• For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)

The question for you is, is it time to move forward fearlessly and in trust of our Saviour to resume the purpose for which we have temporarily been placed here?

This is not just about fighting persecution. This is about loving God and people enough to live as ambassadors of Christ here and now.

If you do believe it is time to move forward while acting responsibly (self-isolating if you become sick or exposed to someone who is), please:

• Voice your opinions to your MPs, even have discussions with your neighbours.
• Share your beliefs publically. “Faith without works is dead“.
• Do not feel that you have to fit into a human being’s definition of righteousness or normal (one way or another).
• Respect the different views of others because all human beings are created in the image of God.
• Think critically and let Scripture be your guide.

Whatever you decide, please do so prayerfully and in peace.

As a side note for transparency: I am personally proud of the truckers because they are standing for freedom, for their beliefs righteously and peacefully. I have wondered whether this is God answering our past prayers. I am therefore asking God to do His mighty acts for His Glory!

I leave you with two prayers because our enemy is spiritual and the battle belongs to the LORD. Do your part in prayer first, and then act righteously and peacefully.