Face the Future Without compromise
Daniel 1:1-20
Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT
Ephesians 5:15-20 reminds me of the motto:
Only one life,
Will soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ
Will Last.
As you face the future you will have many decisions to make. Will you make decisions in the light of eternity or compromise and conform to the values of this world?
J.B. Phillips translates Ephesians 5:15 this way, “Live life then with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do.”
God’s purpose for you is to make your life count not just for this brief life on earth but for eternity.
As you face the future you face many uncertainties and questions.
The story is told about Albert Einstein who was going on a train to an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped to punch his ticket. The great scientist preoccupied with his work with some embarrassment rummaged through his coat pocket and briefcase to no avail. He could not find his ticket. The conductor graciously said, “We all know who are you, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it. Everything is okay.” Then the conductor walked on down the aisle punching other tickets. Before he moved to the next car he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under the seat trying to find his ticket. He came back and said, “Dr. Einstein, please don’t worry about it. I know who you are.” Einstein looked up and said, “I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”
None of us can accurately predict what our life will look like in the future. When I graduated from High School my plans were to major in Chemistry and become a research Chemist. During my first two years of college my passion for chemistry changed and I sensed God’s call to Christian ministry and I changed my major to Philosophy and Religion.
Whatever path God opens for you I encourage you to face the future without compromise.
The life of Daniel is the story of a young adult that “Lived a Life Without Compromise.”
Nebuchadnezzar and his army conquered Jerusalem and took the majority of the people back to Babylon. Among the hostages were Daniel and his three friends. Daniel was from a royal family and only a teenager at the time he was forced to travel 1,500 miles from Judea to Babylon – Iraq.
Nebuchadnezzar’s plan was to train the most gifted youth from Judea and have them join his political team as leaders. They were to be trained for three years and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead.”
Daniel was willing to face the consequences rather than defile himself by eating any food dedicated to false gods. Daniel and his three friends were committed to living without compromise.
As you face the future I encourage you to
Not Conform to the Values of this World
Romans 12:2 - The Apostle Paul tells you how to face the future: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
You have the promise of God that if you refuse to compromise to the values and customs of this world God will guide you and help you find your true purpose in life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 gives a similar promise: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”
If you seek God’s will He will guide your life. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Remember that the god of this world, Satan helps form the values of this world. Satan will do all he can to keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose for you life. Ephesians 6:12, “Your struggle is not against people, it is against principalities and powers and darkness present in this world.”
Satan is a great deceiver and will do all he can to derail your life of faith and compromise.
To defeat Satan do what Jesus did, confront the Devil with God’s Word. Make studying and knowing God’s word the goal of your life. You can overcome temptation by using God’s Word.
Temptations and testing will come to you on a regular basis. I heard about one test a teacher gave her class. She asked the class to identify birds by looking just at their feet. She displayed the feet of birds and asked the class to write on their paper the birds that matched the feet. One little boy said he would not take the test. The teacher said that if he didn’t take the test she would fail him. He refused so she said, You failed the test. Then she asked him what his name was. He rolled up his pants and stuck his feet out and said, “You tell me what my name is.”
Daniel was tested and he stood the test of the temptation to indulge and enjoy the better things in life. The temptation to yield to the better things in life is not easy to pass up.
You will meet skeptics and people who make fun of your faith, but stay true to God’s Word and you will build a strong foundation of faith for your life.
Becoming strong in your faith is like putting money in the bank. The more money you have on deposit the more you have to write checks on.
The more scripture you put into your life the greater resource you have to overcome temptation and not compromise to the values of this world.
J.B. Phillips gives a paraphrase of Ephesians 5:15-20 under the title, “You Know the Truth – Let your Life Show it.”
“Live life, then with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God. Don’t get your stimulus from sin (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls. Express your joy in singing among yourselves psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making music in your heart for the ears of God! Thank God at all times for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And ‘fit in with’ each other, just because you all recognize that God is the Supreme Power over all.”
Living a Life of Integrity requires Commitment
There is no easy formula to living a life of victory and refusing to compromise to the values of this world. There is no easy quick fix to victory.
I heard about a man at the San Jose Airport, I’m not sure where the story came from. The man was worried about missing his plane flight. He had no wristwatch and could not locate a clock, so he hurried up to a total stranger and said, “Excuse me, could you give me the time, please?”
The stranger smiled back and said, “Sure.” He set down the two
large suitcases he was carrying and looked at the watch on his wrist. “It’s exactly 5:09. The temperature outside is 73 degrees, and it is supposed to rain tonight. In London, the sky is clear and the temperature is 38 degrees Celsius.
The barometer reading is 29.14 and falling. And, let’s see, in Singapore the sun is shining brightly. Oh, by the way, the moon should be full tonight here in San Jose and—”
“Your watch tells you all that?” the man interrupted.
“Oh, yes, and much more. You see, I invented this watch, and
I can assure you there’s no other timepiece like it in the world.”
“I want to buy that watch! I’ll pay you two thousand
dollars for it right now.” “No, it’s not for sale,” said
the stranger as he reached down to pick up his suitcases
“Wait! Four thousand. I’ll pay you four thousand
dollars, cash,” offered the man reaching for his wallet.
“No, I can’t sell it. You see, I plan to give it to my son
for his twenty-first birthday. I invented it for him to
enjoy.” “Okay, listen—I’ll give you ten thousand
dollars. I’ve got the money right here.” The stranger
paused. “Ten thousand? Well, okay. It’s yours for ten
thousand even.”
The man was absolutely elated. He paid the stranger,
took the watch, snapped it on his wrist with glee and
said, “Thanks!” and he turned to leave.
“Wait,” said the stranger. With a big smile he handed
the two heavy suitcases to the man and added,
“Don’t forget the batteries.”
Living a life of integrity without compromise requires practicing
holy habits and making a commitment to be a Christ follower. You
live a life of victory by surrendering your life fully and completely
to the Lord. Jesus don’t want half-hearted disciples. He wants fully
devoted disciples. Romans 6:13, …“Give yourself completely to
God since you’ve been given new life. Use your whole body as a
tool to do what is right for the glory of God.”
Cowards don’t last long on when it comes to following Jesus. They shrivel up and disappear. It takes great courage to repent and become a Christian. It takes enormous courage to follow God’s leading in the Christian life. It takes courage to live a clean moral life when surrounded by immorality. It takes courage to remain true to your convictions when everyone at your work or school or neighborhood says to you: “You’re hopelessly idealistic, old fashioned, a little bit strange, in face, you’re a religious fanatic”?
As you face the future the future I encourage you to do what the song says: “Give of Your Best to the Master”
Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example; dauntless was he, young and brave;
Give him your loyal devotion; give him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master; give him first place in your heart;
Give him first place in your service, consecrate every part.
Give, and to you shall be given; God his beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve him; Give him the best that you have.
Let us Pray.
