HoHum:
I was listening to High Schoolers/ Junior Counselors talk about what they loved about Christian camp. I will never forget the testimony of one young man. He said that he was living in a rough neighborhood. His friends always wanted him to do things that he knew as a Christian he should not do. At camp he did not have to worry about that because he experienced peer pressure to do good things. It was like he was in a place where the outside world was shut out.
WBTU:
Sometimes we all need a place where the outside world is shut out. Pray that camp is that way for many. However, there comes a time when we must leave that holy place and go back to the world. It is to be hoped that the time at camp and other places like camp strengthens us to live the Christian life in a dark world. Times away from the world surrounded by fellow Christians should “teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:12, NIV.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13, NIV.
Salt affects the world not despite its saltiness, but because of its saltiness. If we lose our saltiness we will not affect the world and we will be good for nothing. Our saltiness is our holiness, set apart for God. Because of this we will be different, or distinct, from the world. When we are distinct then we are “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14, NIV. When we are not distinct from the world then our light grows dark and it does not light up anything (Matt 5:15). From the actions of our everyday lives do people know that we are Christians?
Thesis: A Case Study: Daniel
For instances:
Pearls Against Black Velvet
First chapter of Daniel provides a picture of the distinctiveness God requires of His people, giving us an example of holiness. Read Daniel 1:1-2
The Israelites, God’s people then, were no longer salty. “But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.” 2 Chronicles 36:16, NIV. God warned his children that if they did not repent He would send a band of pagans to conquer them and that is exactly what happened.
Israelites mocked all that was good and right and pure- not going to give a list but they did most of the sins the Lord told them not to do. And these were supposed to be God’s people.
Now the book of Daniel highlights the faithfulness of a godly few. When a jeweler wants to display a string of pearls, the jeweler sets the pearls against black velvet. The dark backdrop provides a contrast that causes the pearls to gleam. This is what the book of Daniel does. The first two verses describe God’s punishment inflicted on His unfaithful people. Much of the remainder of the book describes how God honored a faithful few. Daniel is one of a few Bible heroes who, as far as we know, had no major flaw on his resume. He managed to help a few of his friends stay pure too.
A resolve not to defile
Daniel 1:3- 8a- Stop at Daniel resolved not to defile himself. This is not that big of a deal for us under the NT, but under the OT this was one of the things that set apart the Israelites, made them distinct, made them holy. Must eat kosher foods.
Daniel knew his options and weighed the consequences. He understood that if he defied Neuchadnezzar’s order, the ruler might have Daniel’s head on a platter. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself.
Most probably Daniel made a commitment and a decision before he ever got to Babylon that he would remain faithful to God’s ways, he would be distinct from the world. Nate Smith, a missionary who along with Jim Elliot died as a martyr in South America, once wrote in his journal, “Obedience is not a momentary option, it is a die cast decision made beforehand.”
Daniel wanted to be pure even though he was far from home and in the minority. Daniel wanted to be pure even though the temptation was very desirable and appeared to be the way to get ahead.
Wisdom in action
Resolve by itself will not keep us pure. Along with his resolve, Daniel developed and executed a wise plan. Read Daniel 1:8-14
When asked to do something that would compromise his integrity, Daniel spewed no hate or vengeance. He wrote no angry e-mails. He did not storm out of the banquet room and march with a picket sign around the palace (like he would be able to do this?). Instead, Daniel used tact, showed respect for his superiors, and displayed careful judgment and wisdom. Daniel kindly offered an alternative- a way to both respect the authorities over him, and keep himself and his friends pure, distinct, holy.
We can do the same. Christians, I fear, have too often damaged our mission with our hatefulness. Scathing letters, angry voicemails, and wagging fingers win few people to Christ
After some hesitation, the official agreed to Daniel’s plan. The result. Read Daniel 1:15- 20
Daniel wisely developed, tactfully presented, and diligently executed a plan for holiness. As a result, God blessed his efforts.
God calls us to be distinct from our culture. Sadly, some churches who seek distinctiveness do so in a manner that hinders, rather than helps, our mission to the world. One example is a group that has as it's motto: God hates fags. The church has been involved in actions against homosexual people since at least 1991. Along with conducting anti gay protests at military funerals, the organization pickets other celebrity funerals and public events. Protests have also been held against Jews and Catholics, and some protests have included church members stomping on the American flag.
This is not the problem with most. Thousands of Jews were taken to Babylon and we read of only 4 that were determined to stay distinct from their environment. Most people want to blend in and go with the flow. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Daniel and his 3 friends remained different, distinct.
Need to attempt to make this a win win situation for everyone as much as possible. This is what happened in Daniel 1. However, there does come a time when no plan except standing firm is possible. We find in Daniel 3 that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego refused to compromise their core beliefs and did not bow to the foreign idols and gods. They basically told their culture that no matter what they would not bow or compromise on this issue. In Daniel 6 we find that Daniel was doing something that was illegal, praying to the one true God, and he refused to stop. Daniel and his 3 friends did bend but they refused to break or throw in the towel on being holy, distinct from their culture.
When churches follow Christ’s example of grace and truth, of purity demonstrated alongside of love, the world takes notice, and our distinctiveness itself becomes one of the most effective tools God uses to accomplish His mission.
