Uncompromising Faith

"'Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, 'Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.' So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar’s.' And He said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way." - Matthew 22:17-22

There has always been a tension between what God says is right and what the world says is right. That is not to say that there is no agreement between the two - there is. But there are some points of man's law that are contrary to the Word of God. Jesus was asked if it was right to pay taxes to the Roman government. His answer was "yes". But we are only to obey that which is in the domain of the government that is not in conflict with the domain of the Creator God. (Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.) So what to do when there is a conflict between the two. 

We are studying the Book of Daniel at church. This week we were in Chapter 6. Daniel had found favor with King Darius. There were those in the government that did not want Daniel to be successful so they plotted against him. They couldn't find anything that he was doing wrong so they attacked what he was doing right. That which was in conflict with the laws of man.

 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

"So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: 'King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.'" - Daniel 6:6-7

Daniel who was faithful toward God - praying three times a day. He was told that he could not pray to God for 30 days but must pray to King Darius instead because of a new law enacted by the king. Failure to obey would result in his death. There is that tension I talked about. So what did Daniel do.

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." - Daniel 6:10

He knew that the law was put in place and was irrevocable. That it did not matter who disobeyed it - they would be punished. The king would have no choice but to kill the violator. And yet, Daniel continue to worship God as if the king's edict did not exist. His devotion was to God first. And so he was tossed in the lions' den. You know how the story ends. But what if it didn't end that way? Would you still be willing to follow Daniel's path of obedience to God? Reading Bible stories can be academic. By that I mean that we might say "Oh, yes, that would be me!" when we read the story - but it is quite different when we are actually facing the threat of the lions' den. Perhaps crowds of protestors outside your house. Losing your job or worse. Are you willing to accept the consequences for disobeying the laws of the land by embracing God's declaration of what is right and wrong. (That is what is known as civil disobedience)

I think that for Daniel, and his buddies Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego the king's edicts were irrelevant. (by the way, nothing is mentioned about the other three men continuing to pray to God - but I think if they were willing to go to the furnace - having a meeting with lions for lunch would have been a calk walk!) They never even considered forsaking God even if it meant their death. So what is the difference between us and them? I would say most probably the strength of their faith as compared to ours. There may come a time, and it may not be too far off, when our culture declares what God says is good to be bad in the eyes of men - unlawful even. There may come a time when we or our children may face the threat of the furnace or the lions' den. If our faith is weak, we will most likely choose poorly and side with the culture.  

I will leave you with a couple of verse references for some biblical perspective to prepare your spirit for the days ahead.

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:8-9

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" Ephesians 6:10-18

One last thought - politicians are not the solution - Jesus is.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone