A spirit of rebellion is gathering pace in our nation, as demonstrated on Bonfire Night when anti-establishment activists burnt an effigy of Boris Johnson.

Casting off restraint

Few of today’s youth seem to understand the history behind the November 5th fireworks, but it certainly used to be the case that effigies of Guy Fawkes were set alight as we celebrated the uncovering of a plot to blow up Parliament in 1605.

For me, it was something of a picture of hell as I watched footage of protestors clashing with police in their efforts to stoke up the fires of anarchy.

Tragically, many in our younger generations have no vision of godly order upon which to model their behaviour; no clear guidance or direction about what is right or wrong. The Bible says that where there is no such revelation, the people cast off restraint (Prov 29:18) – a statement made in the context of disciplining children and giving wise instruction.

The Bible also tells us to obey our leaders and respect authority, even when they are far from perfect, because God has placed them there to maintain peace and order (Rom 13:1).

Saved by the gospel

The French Revolution of 1789 came in the wake of this kind of atheistic rebellion that has weakened the country ever since. Some fear that France is in a state of near-collapse as a godless vacuum has left her vulnerable to Islamist infiltration, with entire districts taken over by fundamentalists.

Some fear that France is in a state of near-collapse as a godless vacuum has left her vulnerable to Islamist infiltration, with entire districts taken over by fundamentalists.

Many historians are agreed that England was saved from a similar fate by the preaching of John Wesley and George Whitefield, who led the Great Awakening that infused British society with the necessary salt and light to keep it from decay and darkness.

Perhaps we need to hear more ‘hell-fire’ preaching, warning of judgment on ungodliness, rather than insipid homilies portraying a meek and mild ‘Jesus’ who tolerates sin and selfishness.

Hell-fire preaching

A 19th century bishop, J. C. Ryle, pulled no punches from his pulpit, while also making prolific use of his pen. And he still speaks to those lost in a sea of despair, confusion and hopelessness, thundering: “I fear lest you should live without Christ, die without pardon, rise again without hope, receive judgment without mercy, and sink into hell without remedy.” He further challenged: “Where is the man that can hold his finger for a minute in the flame of a candle? Who shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”¹

If you think that doesn’t sound very Christian, Jesus warned his disciples not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul: “Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28).

It is because he loves us, and wishes that no-one should perish in this way, that he allowed himself to be nailed to a cross, explaining: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The Press are watching him Boris like a hawk; , whereas if they had as much interest in scrutinising you and I, would we emerge from the test unscathed

In writing about Christ’s second coming and the terrifying turmoil that will inevitably precede it, the Apostle Peter explained that any apparent delay was due to the Lord’s patience in giving everyone a chance of avoiding hell-fire:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10) – including, I suggest, our puny efforts to save the planet. But we can look forward to “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (v13).

Double standards

Yes, it does appear that Boris has displayed a measure of hypocrisy over delivering his apocalyptic message on climate change and then immediately jetting off in time for dinner with his pals at a posh London club. And the PM’s more recent disastrous handling of the Owen Paterson sleaze storm certainly deserves just criticism. But the Press are watching Boris like a hawk; if they had as much interest in scrutinising you and I, would we emerge from the test unscathed?

Jesus berated the religious leaders as hypocrites, but nevertheless urged his followers: “Do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt 23:3).

When King Saul was jealously hunting down David with a view to killing him, the young man was presented with a golden opportunity of putting his persecutor to the sword. But he refused, saying: “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed…” (1 Sam 24:6).

Burning with fire!

Just as the Messiah’s ancestor experienced, today’s followers of Jesus can also expect to be hunted down and even cut off from their families. But far worse will be the fate of those who disown Jesus, who said: “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (Matt 10:32f).

It’s not a warming planet that should primarily concern us. Christians need to be burning with fire from on high,

Enough of fireworks and effigies. We need a fresh dose of holy fire of the kind Elijah displayed on Mt Carmel as he challenged the false prophets to a contest to prove who was God. “How long will you waver between two opinions?”, the prophet asked. “If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:20).

It’s not a warming planet that should primarily concern us. Christians need to be burning with fire from on high, the flame of Pentecost that warmed the heart of Wesley and turned the world upside down. The climate of our lukewarm Christianity needs to change. Come down, Holy Spirit, and turn up the heat of our cold hearts to red-hot!

1. C. Gardner, A Nation Reborn, Christian Publications International (2018)