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“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14

Last month, Canada passed the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9), a new “hate crime” law. This Bill broadens the definition of hate speech and removes the longstanding legal defense for good-faith religious expression. So now, a pastor may be arrested for preaching certain parts of the Bible. (Although the language of the Bill says religious text is protected, there are loopholes in the designation of “hatred,” as it’s defined as “clearly associated with vilification and detestation”—so emotionally adamant individuals can make the legal accusation based on their personal perception). Now, the law is purportedly for all religions and cultural “hate”…but make no mistake, it is an anti-Christian resolution. And, although the law may ultimately protect a pastor, the costly legal process becomes the punishment.

(Interesting proof point: I was recently talking with my husband’s Canadian coworker and his wife who, in their recounting the “COVID years” in their county, how Christian churches were locked down with resolved enforcement, the smallest gathering of the saints prohibited—with ramifications. Drive by the many mosques during that time, though, and you’d see packed parking lots and no police in sight.)

This, my friend, is Canada—not North Korea. And, if you’re paying attention, you’ll know that it’s seeping into our nation as well.

While diving in once more to the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, it’s amazing to read about the joy he had in Christ and for the Gospel while chained up in a cold underground prison in Rome. But what struck me afresh are verses 12-14 of chapter 1: Because of Paul’s imprisonment for the Gospel, the brethren had far more courage to speak the Word of God without fear. My first reaction is, “What!?” If my pastor was hauled away from his pulpit and thrown in jail for preaching the truth of the Bible, I’m thinking my response would be to flee and fearfully hide out in my house. Not so with Paul’s brothers and sisters in Christ during that time. Nope, seeing Paul’s imprisonment (and likely knowing about the arrests, tortures, and deaths of contemporary followers of Christ—perhaps even their own family and friends), their trust in the Lord grew! And they became bolder to share the Gospel!

In light of what’s happening in Canada, as well as the fact that 4,849 Christians have been killed for their faith and 388 million suffered severe persecution last year (Open Doors 2026 reporting), may the Bible be both a mirror and a map for us in this regard.

The Apostle Paul (and Peter and John and all the Apostles) had good reason to be fearful and stay quiet, given the persecution of Jesus followers. But through their steadfast faith in Christ, they never backed down—and their words exhort us today.

• God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control, and we are not to be ashamed because we know whom we have believed (2 Timothy 1:6-14).
• Even when imprisoned and threatened by the government, Peter and John said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-22)
• “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)
• Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused to bow down to anyone but the Lord (Daniel 3).
• Daniel prayed to God in the open even when it was outlawed (Daniel 6:10-28).

At the very end of Paul’s life, he continued to admonish believers to preach the Word—in and out of season. For 250 years, the Gospel has been “in season” in our nation but is falling out. So as Paul writes to Timothy, we’re to listen in and follow suit (2 Timothy 4:1-5):

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The time is coming to embrace courage not despite persecution, but because of it. Are you ready? Am I?

“Lord, make me bold to preach the Gospel without fear. No matter the season, no matter the potential danger.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life