A call to biblical faithfulness in uncertain times

Folks, something is shifting in Britain, and many of us who love the Lord can feel it in our spirits. It’s not something we enjoy talking about, but we need to look at it honestly in the light of God’s Word.

The Church of England now has its first woman serving as Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally. She holds a number of progressive positions, she has supported blessings for same-sex couples, even while the official teaching still says marriage is between one man and one woman.

On the matter of abortion, she once described herself as more pro-choice than pro-life, though more recently she has said she stands with the Church’s principled opposition, allowing only for limited exceptions. The whole institution seems more concerned with fitting in with the culture than standing firmly on the Word of God.

At the same time they have set aside a hundred million pounds for what they call reparative justice connected to the slave trade of long ago.

Yet the Bible is very clear that each person answers for their own sin.

“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16)

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

For a Bible-strong moment, look with me as the Hebrew in Deuteronomy puts it very plainly, “a man for his own sin shall be put to death.” This was first given as a legal principle so that no one in Israel would be punished for another person’s crime. Later, in Ezekiel 18, the Lord Himself takes up the same truth and makes it even clearer: the soul who sins shall die, and the son shall not bear the guilt of the father.

Real repentance is personal! We see it so beautifully in Zacchaeus.

“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house…’” (Luke 19:8-9)

In verse 8, “fourfold” was the full repayment required under the law in cases of theft (see Exodus 22:1 and 2 Samuel 12:6). Zacchaeus, a Jew and a true son of Abraham who walked in the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:12), did not earn his salvation by promising to put things right. Rather, his repentant actions were the evidence that God was already at work in his heart (Luke 3:8). This is exactly what the rich young ruler refused to do ~ give his money to the poor as a public sign that he was ready to follow Jesus.

Paying money centuries later for the sins of others just doesn’t line up with the New Testament pattern.

Then we look at the King; the language around his role has changed. It used to speak of him as Defender of the Faith. But now it talks about protecting the space for faith in a multi-faith nation. Queen Elizabeth used to speak so simply and personally about Jesus as the bedrock of her life. That clear note is harder to hear these days.

Here in Scotland the Church of Scotland is walking a similar path. Numbers are falling. There are women pastors, affirmation of LGBTQIA+ practice, and far too many services that major on flower displays or the latest social theme instead of simply opening the Bible and preaching Christ.

You know, this is not new, as we read in the Old Testament, when God’s people turned away to the idols of the nations around them, the Lord often gave them leaders that matched the condition of their hearts.

It was like a spiritual yo-yo, times of turning back, then sliding away again into compromise. The book of Judges puts it plainly: everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

The New Testament also gives us clear instruction about leadership in the church.

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…” (1 Timothy 3:1-2)

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife…” (Titus 1:5-6)

These are not just cultural ideas from the first century. This is the pattern the Lord has given for the health of His church. I have written more on this subject in the article “Can women be pastors?” which you can find here: https://bornagainchristians.org/2025/03/26/can-women-be-pastors/So what do we do?

We honour those in authority, just as the Word tells us. But our highest loyalty belongs to Jesus and to His Word.

The gospel has never depended on national institutions or big denominational structures.

The Lord is still building His church through simple fellowships that stay true to the Scriptures, preach Christ crucified and risen, and call people to repent and believe.

God has always kept a remnant; even when the larger systems drift, there are still those who will not bow the knee to the spirit of the age.

That is where the real work is being done, in ordinary gatherings of believers who open the Bible, name the name of Jesus without apology, and seek to live as salt and light.

These are sobering days, no question. But they are not hopeless days. The call remains the same as it has always been to turn back to the Lord, keep His Word at the centre, and walk in simple, faithful obedience right where He has placed you.

May the Lord strengthen every one of His people who is determined to do just that.

Keep Bible-Strong

Peter