IS IT POSSIBLE……YES!!!!!

Is It Possible To Live A Righteous Life In A Godless Environment?

 

The answer of course is “YES!” Daniel of the Old Testament is probably our best example of someone who did it with class.

You may remember that as a Jewish lad, Daniel, along with his three compatriots, was taken captive into wicked Babylonia. Throughout his life, he demonstrated God’s faithfulness by choosing to live righteously amidst life-threatening pressures to conform otherwise.

HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE: Daniel lived in Babylonia, but Babylonia did not live in Daniel.

FOUR OBSERVATIONS ON HOW DANIEL DID IT:

1. DETERMINATION — Daniel determined in his heart not to eat the king’s defiled food.

QUESTION: Living as many of us do in a society where compromise is a daily occurrence, have we determined in our heart to not take the first step toward compromise?

2. DELIVERANCE — Daniel chose to believe God for deliverance amidst humanly impossible circumstances.

One example was Daniel’s commitment to interpret the king’s dream before God guaranteed him the interpretation. Failure would surely cost him his life. (Daniel 1:2-23)

Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.  (Dan 2:16) (Daniel 6:6-23)

QUESTION: Are we willing to take steps of faith (when warranted) that could cost us some friends, diminish our standing in society, or otherwise adversely affect our lives and relationships?

3. DEPENDENCE — In times of crisis, Daniel chose to be dependent upon his compatriots.

In the instances cited in points 1. And 2. Above, Daniel enlisted the support or prayers of his three Jewish companions. (Daniel 1:9-20)

Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.  (Dan 2:17-18)

QUESTION: Are you locked in with church family and friends whom you look to for spiritual support? Or are you choosing to tough it out alone?

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.  (Eccl 4:9-10)

4. DECENCY — Daniel chose to live a life of uncompromising standards.

After interpreting the king’s dream he chose not to yield to the king’s influence by accepting his gifts.

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.  (Dan 5:17)

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (Dan 6:1-5)

QUESTION: Has your moral integrity been compromised by receiving gifts or favors from those in positions in societies clubs or organizations of the world in order to gain your favor and support?

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. (Prov 23:1-3)

THE BIG QUESTION: “You are in the world, but is the world in you“?