"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:16).
Several weeks ago when I was up in New England I visited with Wayne, a friend who had spent several years enslaved to the ways of the world. He now takes a strong stand for Christ and everal months ago he received his ministerial credentials. He recently took a bold stand at work that led his employer to further respect him. Wayne, troubled by the provocative calendar photos in the men's room, found them to be a source of temptation.
He respectfully approached his boss and asked that the calendars be removed. He also pointed out that, since the restrooms were used by visitors, it was bad for the company's image. In this case the employer respected Wayne's stand and the calendars were removed. However Wayne has now endured much ridicule from the other employees!
Most of you are in some form of secular work and you do not find the workplace an environment compatible with your faith. Hopefully you have a spiritually supportive family, church fellowship and a daily commitment to spending time with God in Bible study and prayer. However at work it's often a different story. Scripturally we know that "our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). In the same verse we are told to "be self-controlled and alert."
Most will spend at least 40 hours each week at work (certainly many more hours than in the House of God!) This creates a great tension between your responsibilities in the secular world and your desire to live a godly life in obedience to the Word. Many college students receive these encouragement messages and we realize that the campus can also be a spiritual battleground.
The world is opposed to God and His ways. Swearing, mocking God, evil images, luring temptations, and sinful compromises abound. If you don't see them I would respectfully ask, "Are you are using spiritual discernment?" Many of you are also confronted with diversity training programs which are intended to "correct" all those traditional values you were taught. In these programs often "Good is called evil and evil is called good" (see Isaiah 5:20).
Daniel, along with his three Hebrew friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, provides a Biblical model of one who was confronted with the temptation to compromise but he stood firm in his convictions. Early in his life he made a commitment when he went through his first diversity training class. I memorized this verse many years ago as a young Christian."But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8). Notice he made the purpose in his heart. I urge you to learn God's ways and like Daniel make a purpose or resolve in your heart to remain firm. He demonstrates for us the great Biblical principle of separation.
In our daily verse Jesus acknowledged in His final great prayer for His followers that "we are not of this world." May God help each of us to live a godly life at all times and in every setting, including our days spent in the workplace and on the campus.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer:Father, I am resolved no longer to crave the world and cling to its alluring delights. Satan's delights bring only passing pleasure and then plunges me deeper into the cesspool of his incessant schemes. Father, through the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, I can fight against the roaring lion who wants to devour my faith and even my very life. I seek after things that are higher and nobler – things unobtainable from this world, but obtainable through my growing relationship with You. Amen.
Today's prayer is prompted in part by an old hymn titled "I am resolved"
