When as a Christian should you take a stand for the principles and values you believe in? You have likely heard the old adage “not every hill is a hill worth dying on”. Very true yet there are some that are. How do we know which is which?
Romans 13v1 tells us “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” This instructs us to be obedient, dutiful citizens as Christians. We are also admonished to pray for the powers that be.
In Daniel 6 an instruction was given not to pray for 30 days. On hearing this Daniel went to his room as before, opened his window and prayed.
It caused him a lot of personal trouble at first. I mean let’s face it - he could have prayed silently within himself. Alternatively, he could have prayed behind closed doors but he chose to make a point of standing for what he believed was an infringement of his religious liberties. He prayed openly and was willing to take whatever consequences came his way. Ultimately, he received blessing and favour.
When shown a coin, Jesus said, “render to Caesar’s the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” The image on the coin was Caesar’s as such he was due that tribute money.
Question: Whose image and inscription do you bear? We are told man was made in the image of God. It’s a challenging thought, isn’t it? In these times where it feels like Christians are being marginalised, we must stand for biblical values even when it involves personal cost. Ultimately God will see and bless that heart.
Daniel was an active and productive member of his society both before and after he took his stand. He is a great example of hitting the balance ever so well. Let us pray we too can be model citizens while never forgetting that first and foremost we are citizens of heaven.
Ephesians 2v19: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
Much love in Christ
Pastor John