Don't Compromise

        I recently read an article stating that we as Christians are often tempted to put ourselves in a box, a box of comfort, compromise, and cultural acceptance. The statement made me think of the three young Hebrew men in Daniel 3 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon, they were placed in the most advanced and influential city of their time.

            The three men had been taught to serve the one true God. In the midst of Babylon’s wealth and cultural power, they determined not to defile themselves with the world’s offerings. God shaped their values, not culture.

         We read in Daniel 3 that King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive statue. He ordered all people to bow down and worship the image, or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. Their allegiance was to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

            What is interesting is that at the time of this occurrence, these young men had been living in Babylon for three to five years. They were not slaves. They served the king and lived privileged lives, enjoying favour, comfort, and respect.

            Yet when push came to shove, they refused to bow down to any god but the one true God. They did not conform to the culture. They upheld their values, no matter the cost.

            And there was a cost. You know the story. They were thrown into the fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter than usual. But before this happened, Nebuchadnezzar gave them an opportunity to change their minds and obey his command.

            What was their answer to renege on their beliefs? “...O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you, If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18 NLT, bolding mine).

            If you were in the place of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, what would you have done? What would I have done? I’ve asked myself that question a number of times. Would I say, “it’s only a statue?” “We know idols mean nothing?” “Everyone else is doing it?” “I’ll just bow down a little bit with my body, but in my head, I’ll be standing?”
            Have we, as believers, allowed the culture to shape our values instead of standing strong so our values affect the culture? Has that which was once sacred, rooted in the Kingdom of God, become relative? Have things which were once honoured become optional and the holy profane?

            Isaiah gave a warning regarding this. “It is bad for those who call what is sinful good, and good sinful, who say dark is light and light is dark, who make bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!”
(Isaiah 5:20 NLV).

            Today, more than ever, we need the holy courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand against the tsunami of our progressively wicked culture. May we allow the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to restructure our values so they align with His.
 
Inspiration for this article was provided by Pastor Bill of Faithworks Centre, North Wiltshire, PEI