The third chapter of Daniel tells the story of three Hebrew boys who refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzer’s idolatrous image of gold. The temptation to compromise was strong. All who refused to do obeisance would be cast alive into a fiery furnace. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood straight and tall that day for the Lord. They refused to bow.
Sadly, it doesn’t take the threat of a fiery furnace to get people to bow today. No, all it takes is a little intimidation and convictions collapse like a washed out sandcastle on the beach. We see it happen all the time. Someone takes an initial stand for righteousness only to do a total reversal under the pressure of intimidation. Worst of all, they end up apologizing for their convictions in the futile attempt to appease a world the Bible calls crooked and perverse (Philippians 2:15). The world is corrupt. Never attempt to negotiate with corruption.
The society in which we live has transitioned from merely non-Christian to anti-Christian. We need to wake up to the fact that this world which is at war with God will never approve of our biblical convictions. Never! As believers in Jesus Christ we live against the grain of society which causes a great deal of friction. What the world calls “light” we call “darkness” and vice versa. What the world calls “good” we call “evil” and vice versa.
The result of all this is a growing hostility toward Christianity and Christians. As Paul told Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Standing in front of a fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood what Paul was talking about. And yet, to their eternal credit, they didn’t bow. They didn’t even bend. Not even a little bit!
What the Church needs today are Christians who have the courage to stand by their convictions. May we be followers of Jesus Christ who in the face of intimidation declare with these three Old Testament heroes – I’M NOT GONNA BOW!
Pastor Todd Weston
Sadly, it doesn’t take the threat of a fiery furnace to get people to bow today. No, all it takes is a little intimidation and convictions collapse like a washed out sandcastle on the beach. We see it happen all the time. Someone takes an initial stand for righteousness only to do a total reversal under the pressure of intimidation. Worst of all, they end up apologizing for their convictions in the futile attempt to appease a world the Bible calls crooked and perverse (Philippians 2:15). The world is corrupt. Never attempt to negotiate with corruption.
The society in which we live has transitioned from merely non-Christian to anti-Christian. We need to wake up to the fact that this world which is at war with God will never approve of our biblical convictions. Never! As believers in Jesus Christ we live against the grain of society which causes a great deal of friction. What the world calls “light” we call “darkness” and vice versa. What the world calls “good” we call “evil” and vice versa.
The result of all this is a growing hostility toward Christianity and Christians. As Paul told Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Standing in front of a fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood what Paul was talking about. And yet, to their eternal credit, they didn’t bow. They didn’t even bend. Not even a little bit!
What the Church needs today are Christians who have the courage to stand by their convictions. May we be followers of Jesus Christ who in the face of intimidation declare with these three Old Testament heroes – I’M NOT GONNA BOW!
Pastor Todd Weston
