Uncompromising Faith
By Keith Greer

In Daniel 3, we read about the faith of three young Jews-Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego-who were in Babylonian captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar had set up a gold image and commanded everyone to bow before it and pay homage whenever they heard music playing. Notice the determination the young men exhibited in refusing to obey the king's edict: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18) This is an example of uncompromising faith.

Let's move ahead to the 21st century-our time. On every hand, God's people are being challenged to compromise their faith. Throughout our country, there is a movement to remove God from the consciousness of the citizens. Government is enacting laws to remove prayer from public schools, restrict the mention of God during graduation commencement exercises, and forbid the daily newspapers to print opposing views on such subjects as abortion and homosexuality. Christians are made to feel that they are out of step and unloving because they oppose such things as immorality and evolution, favor accountability, and talk about hell. Sadly, many of God's people have succumbed to the pressure and are remaining silent.

According to those who compile statistics, less than 2% of our nation is homosexual. Why are their voices louder than ours? Liberal media is part, but not all, of the reason. Christians need to become engaged in their communities. Are you aware of what the schools are teaching your children about these things? In one area, they wanted to have a Donuts-with-Dad activity so the children with homosexual fathers could bring them to school. (Yes, in some states, homosexuals can adopt children.) Thankfully this was defeated and did not happen.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." {Proverbs 14:34} We are living in a nation that has forgotten about God. As a consequence of their choices, God eventually destroyed previous nations of people who went down this road. Can our nation escape? Probably not, but shouldn't we attempt to put up a fight before it's too late.

Christians mustn't forget who they are and what they believe. God's ways are the best ways, despite what the majority and liberals say (Isaiah 55:8-11). Are those who do not resist and oppose the current trends guilty of compromising their faith? Dear reader, it may be later than you think!