I Reject The King's Portion! Part 9

Grace to you and peace from our Father dear brethren. We have been looking at ways in which the world attracts us into living according to its statutes and expectations. The most valid reason for looking at an issue is if we will eventually address it. We have been looking at several ways in which the world system is propagated. Today we will begin to look at how we should respond to what the world offers. Since we have been talking about the text in Daniel, we will look at the solutions that have been offered in the same texts we have been looking at. Daniel 1:8 'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself (NKJV)'.

The first response in dealing with what the world is offering, is making a conscious decision to not engage in it. Making a definite stand on something makes us and our environment know which side of the divide we are representing. 2nd Corinthians 6:14 says 'Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (NKJV)'. We who are the children of Light have to stand for the Light that we carry. Shining Light is first about separating ourselves from the darkness that is prevalent in the world as Isaiah 52:11 commands: 'Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord (NKJV)'. The way to do this is to first partake of the Light; when we are partakers of light, darkness cannot abide in us. The presence of light is the revelation of darkness and the availing of life. The Light that we shine is the Light that is in Christ, and according to John 1:4, His Light carries His Life (the very essense of God). Therefore making a stand for His Light is making a decision to propagate His life wherever we go.

The second response to whatever the world has to offer is putting our conviction in action. Daniel, after deciding what he will stand for, relays the same to the Chief of the eunuchs. He actions his conviction. There are so many people who purpose in their heart to do something but never get around to doing it. No matter how strong the conviction of the heart is, it is what we do with it that counts. Christianity is faith in action; it is about marching towards the camp of the enemy even when the Lord has said you will not fight in that battle. Because a lifestyle of Christianity is practical, and it is when we begin to advance towards the enemy with our song of praise and thanksgiving, that we acknowledge what will be; it is then that the Lord sets ambushes in the camp of the enemy and the enemy is annihilated. Today we have to embrace these two aspects of the faith: making a definite stand for Christ, and actioning His convictions in our lives. Onward Christian Soldier! Lift His Royal Banner! 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, today I choose to embrace a new lifestyle of standing for you in my decisions and my actions. Guide me in all things and make me faithful in upholding you in every area of my life in private and in public. Amen.