Welcome!
Date: Thursday, July 08, 2010
Today: Dare to be different
Passage: Daniel 1: 16 – 17 NIV
16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Daniel and three of his friends were among the best of the youth that went in captivity to Babylon, from Jerusalem
Can such a thing happen today?
It is happening and can happen
But what is noteworthy here is that Daniel did not compromise his commitment and principle in life
Why Christians are not effective today?
Why Christianity is not making an impact today, as it should?
Because, “Daniels” are lacking or missing
We have Christians as well as leaders who choose the path of less/least resistance, rather than keeping a principle
Daniel and his friends dared to be different, no matter what
The first area of test was in relation to food, the same as that in Eden & Esau
Daniel and his friends were determined to say “No” to the royal food from the royal kitchen, which was defiled, in a spiritual sense
In today’s context, what would we have done?
These four might have faced much pressure from friends and relatives, to say “yes” to the royal menu and not miss a “golden” opportunity
But they knew what was really “golden”, and what looked like gold
They went on a “vegetable and water” diet for the whole length of three years. Sacrifice paid
They were absorbed into the Royal Administrative service
Daniel was appointed Mayor of the City (2:48)
A mayor who had gifts of God, visions and dreams!
In times when people seek compromise to please others and to get positions and possessions, Daniel is an example and a challenge
People-pleasers do not go a long way. God-pleasers do
In the book of Esther, we see Mordecai, who chose to remain committed to his principles and his faith, and did not bow down to anyone else but God
Finally, God lifted him to a higher position
He did not try to go to the king and influence him. God took care of that
Joseph is another example from the Bible
He remained committed. God lifted him
Today, many churches are not powerful because they chose compromise
Sometimes, they get more people who like compromise
But they also loose people, like how the Anglican Church is loosing
If Church is the body of Christ, then Christ has to be the head
All decisions, especially regarding policy, must be authorized by the head, and not by the majority of the organs
If the church continues to ignore the head, then they are out of Christ’s list
One day, they will hear “I don’t know you”
“We did” and “you know, Lord” will not work any more
Dare to be like Daniel, in a world which is very much Babylon
God bless
BG
Prayer: Lord, I need your grace to be like Daniel and his friends. Forgive me for choosing compromise, in a world that crucified Jesus. Amen