Uncompromising in a compromising world

We live in very difficult times. As Apostle Paul predicted in 2 Tim 3, we are seeing a breakdown of values, increase in violence, "a form of godliness but rejecting its power", like never before. All these are prelude to Christ's second coming. 

It was shocking news when just a few days ago, when Huston Mayor asked five pastors to turn over sermon notes, speeches that touched on homosexuality.  The message was clear.  If you oppose the lesbian/bisexual/gay/transgender community or agenda in any way, you will pay.

Even top leaders in the US, with Christian upbringing, are now paying homage to this new reversal of values. One even said that the constitution requires the legislation of same-sex marriage.  

How will the church react? Will Christians still remain faithful to the Word of God? 

Times are coming when churches will compromise their own beliefs and tenants of faith, justifying their deviations with compromising interpretation.  Another warning from the scriptures that we are indeed in the last days - 1Tim 4:1 - The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

I am reminded of Daniel who remained uncompromising even at the face of death. Dan 1:8 -  But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. 

We know the story and I will not dwell too much into it. The word resolved is also interpreted as purposed, determined and resolute - all indicative of a firm unwavering decision. Why would Daniel and his three friends decide to remain uncompromising, when the rest of his contemporaries have no issue at all, eating the food offered by the king? They could have been put to death for their disobedience. 

I believe Daniel's decision was based on a strong conviction. He was convinced that this is the right thing to do. Anything else was disobedience to the Word of God. His conviction was also based on whom he believed. Like Paul, Daniel would say, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able". But the conviction must have a right basis. The 9/11 hijackers were also strongly connived in what they believed, albeit, erroneous. 

Strong convictions must be based on a strong relationship with the Almighty God. A detailed study into the life of Daniel would reveal that the had a good relationship with Jahweh. That relationship was built on an intimate study and obedience of God's Word and a personal devotion in prayer. Daniel prayed three times a day. So intimate was Daniel's relationship with God that even the heathen recognized that the"spirit of the holy gods is in him" (Daniel 5:11). And this is the key : Daniel's understanding of the scriptures was based the clear written word, what the forefathers have said and what the Spirit of God revealed to him. God's Spirit will never contradict His own Word. Hence if someone tell us something different from the scriptures and  deviant from how the forefathers have believed, we need to be extremely careful.  Not everything said in the name of the Spirit is from the Holy Spirit. That is why we have been admonished in 1 John 4:1 - do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

Hence when we have a clear understanding of God's Word and a life of intimate prayer, we built a strong relationship with God. That leads to a strong conviction and eventually to an unwavering decision. Purposed in his heart......

A resilient relationship with God, inspired by the Word and the Spirit, leads to a resilient conviction that God's Word holds supreme, which in turn makesn  an uncompromising decision in a compromising world.