Family Bible Series for June 11: Refuse to compromise faith regardless of costs
Posted: 6/01/06
Family Bible Series for June 11
Refuse to compromise faith regardless of costs
• Daniel 6:3-5, 10-13, 16, 19-23, 25-27
By Greg Ammons
First Baptist Church, Garland
Even the smallest compromise can be damaging. If 99 percent of all prescriptions were filled correctly in our nation, almost 200,000 Americans still would be given wrong prescriptions. If 99 percent of mail parcels were delivered properly, 1.7 million parcels still would not reach their intended destinations.
The same principle is at work in the spiritual realm. Our faith in Jesus Christ is to be uncompromising. We must not allow room for even the smallest compromise. In the Old Testament, Daniel is a wonderful example of refusal to compromise.
Demonstrate blameless character (6:3-5)
King Darius ruled the Persian empire. Although the Israelites were enslaved, the Persians gave some young Hebrew men responsibilities within the kingdom. Daniel was one of the young Hebrew men who served in the Persian government yet remained faithful to the God of Israel (v. 3).
Jealous administrators within the Persian government tried to find fault with Daniel but could not do so. He was completely trustworthy (v. 4). The men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do wth the law of his God” (v. 5).
Christians today must demonstrate blameless character as well. Our lives are to be lived in such a manner that they do not bring disrepute to the name of Christ. Former basketball coach John Wooden would tell his players: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Reputation is what others think you are, but who you really are is displayed in character.”
Exercise undaunted faith (6:10-13; 16)
A decree was issued that everyone in the Persian kingdom was to worship King Darius. Undaunted by the command, young Daniel prayed to God three times a day, as was his custom (v. 10).
A group of men noticed Daniel praying and approached the king about the young Hebrew’s disobedience (vv. 11-13). So, the king ordered Daniel be thrown in the lion’s den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you” (v. 16).
Daniel’s faith was undaunted by a pagan king’s decree. He was faithful to serve the God of Israel in spite of his circumstances. Yet, it took courage for him to do so.
As Christians, we often are in circumstances that require us to exercise undaunting faith. It takes courage to stand for Christ in the midst of our society. Whether it is a businessman who does not compromise a business deal, a single mother struggling financially or a widow who faces the loneliness of each day, it often takes strength to exercise our faith in Christ.
Trust God fully (6:19-23)
Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions. This was the customary punishment for all disobedience to the king. At dawn, King Darius rushed to the den to see Daniel’s fate. The king was fond of the young Hebrew and secretly hoped Daniel’s God would take care of him (v. 20).
The king called into the den to see if there was a reply. Daniel answered, “My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions" (v. 22). King Darius was overjoyed and ordered Daniel lifted out of the lion’s den. When Daniel was examined, no wound was found on him because he had trusted in his God (v. 23).
The leaping ability of the African impala is impressive. The animal is able to jump to a height of 10 feet, while covering a distance of more than 30 feet. Yet the impala is easily contained in a zoo with a three-foot wall. Interestingly, the impala will not even attempt to jump if it cannot see where its feet will land.
There are times in following Christ in which the believer must trust God fully in the face of a frightening situation. Faith is trusting although we cannot see where our feet will land. Daniel fully trusted in the midst of the lion’s den, and God honored his faith.
Give a powerful testimony (6:25-27)
Daniel’s faith in the face of the lions was a powerful testimony to a pagan nation. King Darius issued a decree that in every part of the kingdom citizens were to fear and reverence the God of Daniel (v. 26). The king stated: “For he is the living God, and he endures forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed and his dominion will never end” (v. 26).
God may have placed you in a difficult situation in order for you to exercise your faith and give a strong testimony to the power of the Lord. His greatest work often is done in the midst of difficulty.
In the early days of the Salvation Army, William Booth and his associates faced intense criticism. Booth encouraged his colleagues: “Fifty years from now, it will matter very little how others treated us. However, it will matter a great deal how we treated God’s work.”
In the face of your situation, refuse to compromise your faith regardless of the cost. As a result, God’s work will be accomplished, and you will give a powerful testimony to his name.
Discussion questions
• Describe a person you know who has blameless character.
• In which areas are Christians tempted to compromise the most?
• Describe a situation in which you trusted God fully.