In, but not of, the world
by Pastor Joshua Pfeiffer
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‘But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself’ (Daniel 1:8).
Often, it’s a big struggle for Christians to know how to live as faithful people in the world. The values of the culture around us can come into conflict with our Christian beliefs. We know we are sent into the world to be salt and light, but we also know God calls us to be faithful to him and his word. Situations then arise when it’s not always clear what the right path is through some difficult scenarios. St Paul speaks to a situation like this when it comes to food offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8).
Daniel was also in a similar predicament. He and his friends had been taken away to Babylon and then summoned to the pagan king’s court to serve there. At first, this would appear to be a providential opportunity! But it also meant eating food that would spiritually defile him before God, and so he had to navigate a tricky position. Notice Daniel’s wisdom and humility as he does this. He carefully chooses his words and strategy, to remain faithful to the Lord and avoid defilement, while also not giving unnecessary offence and squandering the opportunity to be an influence in the king’s palace. In the end, God blesses this path.
In John 17, we hear Jesus say he does not want us to be taken out of the world, even though we do not belong to the world. Instead, he wants us to be sanctified – made clean and holy – in the truth, which is his word. As cleansed and holy people in Christ and his word, he then sends us out into the world, so others too may come to believe. Don’t ever compromise your faithfulness to God, and don’t ever give up on the world and those in it.
Heavenly Father, thank you for cleansing us and making us holy people. As you send us into the world, help us by your Spirit to live wisely, faithfully, and in love when it comes to our interactions with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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