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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
In these days of excuse-making for sin, tolerance of any and all behavior etc., the Progressives of one party demand we acquiesce to their agenda while the Conservatives lash out in anger against anyone who fails to meet their standards, however low they may be. What’s a Christian to do?
First, we need to understand that the situation we find ourselves in is not new. Society endlessly revisits the sins of the past and reaps the consequences thereof. Our job is to meet the difficulties head-on, “…fear(ing) the Lord and serv(ing) him with all faithfulness.” Joshue 24:14 Some will follow our lead, others won’t; our responsibility being to find our niche in the world, living as faithfully and successfully as possible. By word and deed saying “…if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves whom you will serve…” Giving room for difference of opinion, belief and lifestyle, while resolving to declare, “…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”! Joshua 24:15
That won’t sit well with some, as despite our society’s claims to tolerance, inclusions, multi-culturalism etc.; if you openly break with their agenda, you will be ostracized, intimidated and definitely not tolerated. The goal then becomes to set us aside and shut us up, a common practice of autocrats and dictators throughout history.
A classic example of “government” using the threat of overwhelming force to coerce obedience, forcing people to literally bend the knee to a system of rules they didn’t agree with, is found in Daniel 3. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had defeated Israel and exiled the best and brightest of it’s citizens to his country; picking the best of the best to serve him and his country administratively. Ignoring the fact that what made these men good candidates for service was their having been raised initially under the precepts of the One True God – Jehovah.
To coerce absolute obedience to him and his cause, Nebuchadnezzar erected a monstruous idol representing the power he wielded over Babylon and the world. All were to bow down to it on a given signal, “worshipping” him and his law as supreme. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, exiled Israelis hand-picked for their ability to serve, refused to bow before the idol. Enraged over their slight, even though they had done everything else asked of them, they were given a second chance to bow and live. Their response is a beautiful testimony to faith. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the Lord we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if he does not ,” (And to be honest, he doesn’t always save us from our circumstance but leads us through them. See Hebrews 11:32-38 Jesus modeling this same king of courage by enduring the cross, 10 of the 11remaining Apostles likewise martyred for their faith, along with countless others down the centuries.) “We want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18
Knowing, in their own way, “…that in all things God works for the good of those who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 And that nothing, “…will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39
Jesus later encouraged his followers with the assurance that, saying “Blessed are you when people insult… persecute… and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Which behooves us to be careful what we say and do, as some so-called believers say some pretty silly and even downright stupid things – or proclaim the truth poorly.) “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11,12An interesting aside comes from Luke 6:26, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” At the earliest point in the church’s founding, Jesus explicitly warned, “Watch out for false prophets. They come in sheep’s clothing – perform(ing) great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” Further warning that, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:15,16 & 21
The key for us today is to emulate the disciple’s declaration of “We must obey God rather than men!” Acts 5:29; while at the same time serving the people of their society through love and sacrifice. In the process impacting not only the people they were closely associated with, but ultimately the world.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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