Canadian Christians have just been thrown off a cliff. Our government has legally recognized same-sex marriage. Legal marriage is now simply recognition of a sexual relationship—no rules, nothing holy or special, no recognition of God’s blessing.

All of our frantic protests, reasoned and unreasoned arguments and heroic stands did not prevent us from going over. We are in free fall with only God to catch us. And God will catch us, but much damage has been done. The fallout will be painful.

“By making homosexual marriage an ‘equality right’ under the Charter, governments have put churches on notice that they are henceforth outside the Charter,” says Link Byfield in the Calgary Sun. “Human rights law is quite clear. You may believe and say anything you like in private, but not in public.”

So what do Christians do with this moment of both defeat and opportunity? Do we accept this loss of religious freedom and quietly walk away on our broken legs, or do we embrace it as an opportunity to live as Christians really ought? Critics want Christians to retreat within the Church’s four walls and get out of politics. But that would be disastrous. Yet, even if we fight, we may also lose.

Before we stagger back up to our feet to combat the creeping immorality in our land, we ought to remain on our knees (where we belong) for a moment longer to ask God’s cleansing forgiveness and to seek His vision.

Not faultless
Just like the people of Israel before they were taken into captivity in Babylon, we are not faultless in causing this disaster. Collectively Christians have not made faith a top priority. We have relaxed in our comfortable pews and not engaged the sin-filled world around us in a Christian way. Some of us have even passively adopted the mainstream worldview and values.

I was a child when Pierre Trudeau declared “the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation.” Soon, no fault divorce was legalized. But did that make Christians live godly lives in defiance of the incoming tide of immorality? Frequently they have not. Today, to our great shame, Christians divorce as frequently as anyone else.

While the long-term consequences of this landmark decision remains to be seen, are we ready to risk defying the law of the land for the sake of our beliefs? Are we willing to face a loss of tax-free status; to continue the fight against the indoctrination of our children; to go to prison for our beliefs?

We must continue to work against the tide of evil, and stand as a lighthouse in the storm. In upcoming months, provincial governments will make critical decisions regarding all Canadians’ rights to freedom of religion, conscience and expression.

We have been thrust into a position that we did not choose. We must throw ourselves upon the Lord, trusting in His power to strengthen us to do what He has asked. Perhaps, after our repentance and surrender to His vision, God will heal our land.