Christian Perspectives

March 18, 2015 · 0 Comments

Integrity a word that is seldom used in today’s day and age and a word that is seldom put into practice today. In our society, we’ve came a long way from a trusting handshake that sealed the deal. From our word being honest and true we have come to an age in this world that trust and integrity are questioned more often, honesty guides good people, dishonesty destroy treacherous people, as stated in Proverbs 11:3
What is the Christian perspective on integrity?
Let’s take a look at some of the comparisons of our world today with the scripture and Daniel chapter 3 vs. 1 to 30. When it comes to integrity there is a choice to be made, Daniel chapter 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had built a statue 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Statues, monuments and people are still being built to this day. And people almost worship them, actors, sport teams etc.
Through the book of Daniel in Chapter 3 vs 4–6, states that King Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone to bow and worship his gold statue and the punishment for not doing so was to be thrown into a blazing furnace.
I’m sure it’s safe to say that at some point in your life you may have been asked to do something or say something that you knew was wrong,
In Daniel 3:12–14 we find the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 3 Jewish men of God, who refused to serve his gods or to worship the gold statue that he had set up. King Nebuchadnezzar was in a rage over this turn of events, how dare they disobey him, and threaten to throw them into the blazing furnace.
For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego not obeying the King Nebuchadnezzar command to worship his idol statue, meant breaking mans law. But knowing this was not God’s will. A test of integrity, I think most of us knows someone or possibility ourselves that our integrity tested at times.
Let us not forget the second commandment of Exodus 20:4, “You shall not make for yourselves and idol in the form of anything in Heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
We must have integrity to worship God no matter what. Amen
For many Christians today are punishment is not going into an actual fiery furnace, it may feel like that at times when we will have our integrity tested because we are followers of Jesus. We all have enemies or people that dislike us for some reason and be assured that Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego had some enemies to. The king gave them a second chance to kneel down and worship his idol, that their god was not able to rescue them from his power as found in vs. 15. This is the statement that gives us the faith to believe in the Word of God. They told the King, their God was bigger then his punishment and bigger than him. They held to their integrity, even in the face of death. Daniel 3:17-18” “even if we are thrown into the fiery furnace He will rescue us from your power your majesty but even if He doesn’t we want to make it clear to you we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have placed.” Furious again the king says, tie them up and throw them into the furnace, they were fully dressed. The fire and the flames were hotter than they have ever been, seven times hotter. The soldiers that threw them into the furnace died because the flames were so hot.
In Daniel 3:25 “Look, Nebuchadnezzar shouted I see four man unbound walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god.” It was obvious that this fourth person was supernatural, some scholars believe it was the pre incarnate Christ, others say angels sent by God, whoever he was, he was definitely the presence, power and protection of the almighty God. Daniel 3: 26-28,” then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, come here! So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers officials, governors and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was changed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell like smoke. The King Nebuchadneer said, Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in Him. They defiled the King’s command and were willing to die and rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
This shows the integrity of these three men of God.. When we are faced with trials and difficulties, do we have the commitment and integrity i that will carry us through? It all begins by knowing and accepting Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior. May the Holy Spirit richly anoint this word, and the integrity that comes with. Amen