With the federal election campaign rockin’ around us and Nehemiah 5 in front of us this Sunday, I was compelled to think again about this parliamentary term, “Loyal Opposition”. It describes, of course, those elected members of the House of Commons who do not form the government in a parliamentary democracy. These members also make a pledge to Her Majesty the Queen (though one wonders how the Bloc Québéçois can do so with a straight face) and serve our country. They are Canadians who love their country and are committed to her well being (again, BQ excepted in our strange little country). Yet they stand “in opposition” to the government.
The daily spectacle of “Question Period” punctuates this role where they delight and revel in slamming the government. It is nasty at times and makes ordinary Canadians cringe or turn their heads away in disgust. What many do not realize is that in the House, the opposition enjoys immunity from any legal action with regard to slander. You’ll almost never hear the opposition make the same outlandish statements in the hallway outside the House lest they be picked up by the RCMP. In the House they can pretty much use unsubstantiated statements and innuendo to make their point and oppose the government. Ridiculous really.
And please understand I am making no comment on the current players. There is no attempt here to sway voters one way or the other during this campaign. This is commentary on the whole of our 144 years of history. This is how we do things in Canada no matter who is in government or on the opposition side.
The part that gets me though is the “Loyal” part. We’ve enshrined in parliamentary law the notion of standing in opposition to those we’ve elected to govern. And you get the impression that they look for ways to oppose even if, in essence, they agree with the policy or direction the government is promoting. Is that truly being loyal to the country? Or is it self-interest? Is it personal ambition? Is it power-at-any-cost?
That’s what God’s people were facing in the challenge before them in Nehemiah 5. Last week we looked at external opposition, but this week it is an internal challenge. It is opposition from within. It is fellow Jews who are creating the mess. It is “the loyal opposition” at work. But unlike the Canadian system that is doomed to always have this unnecessary, unethical and unhelpful contention, Nehemiah demonstrates solid, godly leadership and the people demonstrate willing submission to that leadership. Imagine that! Imagine that in Ottawa! Ha!
I’m eager to get this passage open in front of us on Sunday as we continue our “Love Unleashed” series. This week’s message is titled, “Love Overcomes All Things 2: Internal Challenges” and what we’ll see is the reality that opposition will happen (don’t be surprised by that), our motivation must be God’s righteousness at all times, our approach must include stepping back and carefully considering his ways (and not allowing our selfish motives to drive us), and our response must be one of following that solid godly leadership he has ordained for us all.
Be sure to pray about this message in your own life. How will God use this to change you?
I’m excited about having
Chris Somers, worship director at
Harvest Bible Chapel York Region, lead us in worship this week. Check out the
set list for Sunday here.
And be sure to be inviting your friends, family, neighbours, co-workers and other contacts to our Easter services. Just eight days away! If you’re on Facebook,
check out this event page and post it to your page. Let’s put the push on this week to see every chair filled on Easter with those who need to hear the life-giving message of Jesus Christ.
See you Sunday,
Todd