Read: Daniel 3 and I Corinthians 5
Several activities that I encounter throughout the week require that I travel the Interstate. No matter the hour, day or night, traffic is usually heavy. This particular day, however, it was lighter than usual so I was able to relax a bit. I got into the flow of traffic, turned up the radio and retreated to my thoughts. About ten minutes into my journey, an announcement on the radio caught my attention, pulling me back into the "real world." I checked my mirrors, then looked down at my speedometer. To my surprise, I was traveling 15 mph over the posted speed limit! I could not believe it. Because I had been flowing along with the other motorists, I never noticed how fast I was going. My conformity with those around me had hidden the fact that I was in error.
Conformity is what King Nebuchadnezzar was seeking in Daniel chapter three. Upon the completion of the image he had constructed, the king commanded that the image be worshipped. The decree declared that the people, nations, and men of every language should fall down and worship Nebuchadnezzer's image at the sound of the music. Everyone did just that - everyone, that is, except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Can you imagine the scene? Here sat the king and all his officials, presiding over the ceremony with great pomp. The king, no doubt, was proud of his accomplishment and his authority. However, as he gazed over the crowd bowing at his command, three "images" that stood there did not blend in. Their failure to compromise drew attention to themselves and ultimately to God.
There may not be a ninety-foot high image confronting us today or a prideful king with the authority to destroy us for failure to heed his directive. Doubtless, each one of us faces situations regularly that challenge our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. There are "images" of dirty jokes, gossip, lying, cheating and the like that tempt us to bow and blend in with the unbelieving crowd. But the word of God admonishes us to "be not conformed to this world." Our lack of compromise exposes evil for what it really is. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were lights in the midst of the unbelievers' darkness. Their nonconformity initially exposed them to rage and revenge, but in the end, it introduced an unbelieving nation to the Only True God.
On the other hand, first Corinthians chapter five reveals how nonconformity affects the Body of believers. Paul tells the Corinthian church to expel a brother from the fellowship because of unrepentant sin. Until then, they had embraced him and winked at what he was doing. Putting him out was a means of making him aware of sinful and unacceptable behavior. The expulsion opened for him the possibility to repent. When believers embrace sin, as was the case with the Corinthian church, the perpetrator may not view what he/she is doing as wrong. In this instance, nonconformity saved a fellow believer from destruction (see II Corinthians 2:5-11).
Do we have the courage and commitment of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand up for what is right in the midst of unbelief? Are we willing to risk losing fellowship with a Christian brother or sister in order to remain faithful to God's Word? Or are we going to go with the flow in order to keep the peace and save ourselves? Commitment or compromise; the music is sounding. Will YOU bow?
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask You to develop in me a committed heart. May my love and devotion to You and to Your Word keep me from bowing to appease those around me. No matter the test, make my refusal to compromise an indictment that draws attention to You. Amen.
