By Victor Suresh SohmenThe Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs14:34). It is the righteous nation that shall enter the presence ofGod and find favour with Him (Isaiah 26:2). The crucified, risen,ascended and soon-coming Lord Jesus Christ will indeed "sprinkle"many nations with his atoning blood (Isaiah 52:15). God will redeempeople out of every nation: indeed, from all kindred, people, andtongues (Revelation 5:9, 7:9).Will Canada as a nation mock God – or the bedrock of the Word of God?"Dominion of Canada" points to a theme in Psalm 72:8: "He (God) shallhave dominion also from sea to sea…". At its independence fromBritain, Canada knelt before God – not before man! She acknowledgedher privilege to be part of His Dominion. The Lord is the King of allnations – far above all earthly rulers and mundane vanities (Jeremiah10:7). He is King of kings and Lord of lords! (Revelation 19:16).Through the pages of history, it can be seen that nations rose andfell – despite the grandiose schemes of men. Even in this generation,we have seen mighty nations fall. Who would have thought ten yearsago that the Soviet Union would be dismantled? Or that the BerlinWall would fall? Or that the Eastern bloc would break free from theshackles of Communism?Where are we today as a nation under God? A quick survey willenlighten us. During the first quarter of 1993, a "Religion Poll" of4510 adults was taken in Canada (Maclean's April 12, 1993). This pollshowed that 78% of Canadians define themselves as "Christians."It will be remiss at this point not to define the meaning of"Christian" (Acts 11:26, 26:28; 1Peter 4:16). A Christian is one, who by repenting of sins and trusting unconditionally in the crucified, buried, and risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, has the assurance of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. "Not everyone that saith unto me, "Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven…" (Matthew 7:21). Let us beware of normal Christianity and false righteousness!Having a Christian name, having been born in a "Christian" family, reading the Bible, or even going to church does not make one a Christian. Let me explain. Normal Christianity is a religion. True Christianity is a RELATIONSHIP* - with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible is uncompromising on this: only the spiritually "born again" can enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3).The Religion Poll admits that only 8% to 14% of the Canadianpopulation are "conservatives"/"evangelicals" – churchgoers whobelieve in a spiritual regeneration through repentance of sins andconfession of Christ as personal Saviour and Lord. Again the pollindicates 67% believe that Jesus was crucified, He died and wasburied, but was resurrected to eternal life; 66% concede that Christ isthe Divine Son of God; 62% believe that the life, death, andresurrection of Jesus Christ provided a way for their forgiveness; and41% acknowledge that Satan, the arch enemy of God and of man, isactive in the world today.Canada has moved far away from God! The Bible has been removed fromour schools; we no longer claim to be a Christian nation; and even ourpoliticians avoid acknowledging God. The apostle Paul says: "Ye didrun well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the Truth."(Galatians 5:7). A moment's thought will make it clear that the samequestion could be posed to Canada as a nation originally founded onthe Word of God. Why have we as His Dominion fallen away from God andHis infallible Word?Nehemiah, the royal cupbearer exhorted: "Let us rise up and build"(Nehemiah 2:18).Can we as Canadians stand back and let the Devil pollute and decimateour fair land – God's Dominion "from sea to shining sea?" Can we dareto pass on to our children the legacy of a godless society wallowingin filth and hopelessness? Should we accept the bitter fruits of asociety that has turned away from God – and rife with immorality,family violence, runaway kids, pornography, drugs, alcohol and teenagepregnancies? Or should we shudder – and turn to God again?Let us pray for our leaders – local city officials, provincialadministrators, and national leaders. We need to be steered backtoward God and His Word!Our Canadian citizenship will cease at death; eternal citizenship inHeaven is for those with their names written in the "Book of Life" –through redemption by the blood of Christ. A Holy, Righteous God willpunish every sin for eternity – despite "good works". (Ephesians2:8-9 and Revelation 20:11-15). Yet a Loving God provides forsalvation from sins!IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE? BE SURE!COME, LET US RISE UP AND BUILD THE NATION TOGETHER – ON THE SOLID ROCKOF THE RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU
