Get Into the Furnace

When Shaddrach, Messhach, and Abednego decided to remain true to God, they knew they might die in the fiery furnace. However, they reasoned that it was far better to be obedient -- even if it led to death, than to deny God. 

When Americans look at presidential hopefuls, we tend to think "choose the lesser evil". We do not believe that God will mind our partnership with the devil, saying to ourselves that "it is the only logical choice". 

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. -- 2 Joh 1:9-11

What we forget is that the God of our time is the exact same God of their time. He has not changed. He is still the incredibly great I AM, and He demands our total allegiance. He calls us to faithful obedience -- in every area of our lives. He requires that we be like Shaddrach, Messach, and Abednego -- willing to give up our lives for Him, to have enough faith in Him to obey Him.

Many are not even considering this, though. No, all they see is the "fiery furnace" before them. So, they will vote for a known evil over apparent holiness, expecting that God will "make it work". He won't, but they clearly expect Him to.

So, to all my pro-two candidates only, friends, you need to realize the real question your choice answers is this: How much faith in God do you actually have? Are you a Shaddrach, a Daniel, or are you Balaam -- choosing to pad your pockets at God's expense?

We all look back on these men, Daniel, David, etc.; and honestly believe -- on some level that their choices were easier than ours. We applaud what they did and recognize it as the "right" thing for them to have done. Turn the page, though, and we are just as convinced that our evil choices are also the right thing.

Be not deceived. God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. -- Gal 6:7

Choosing evil brings evil. It cannot do anything else. If you think about how so many professing Christians also chose not to fight abortion, you can see our generation proof of this reality. It was the silent approval of those who claim to be His that allowed that atrocity to flourish, and branch into all sorts of "mercy" killings. Yet, many said, "We must give women a choice or it will be worse." Now our nation is drowning in innocent blood.

Sorry, folks, but that is the reality. You cannot partner with evil and reap goodness. You cannot choose an evil leader and expect to be wisely or gently ruled. An evil heart does not have that capacity -- unless God miraculously bestows it, and He won't do that when we have deliberately chosen evil. Neither can you choose evil and receive God's blessings. No, He'll curse us even more for that. That's what true holiness means. It's a deliberate separation from unholiness. It's the hard choice -- like Shaddrach, Messhach, and Abednego. 

If you really care about this nation, the only real choice is third party -- where a man like Tom Hoefling, who puts God first, gives us the opportunity to choose holiness. We have to get into the furnace, and trust that even if we die, at least we will not be separated from Him. I'm not saying that Tom Hoefling is the only right choice. No, I'm saying holiness is the only right choice. Choosing godliness over apparent wickedness is always the right choice.

If you cannot make that hard choice, you need to realize that you have already lost. You have chosen to abandon God for the easier path. You have taken the wide path, because the narrow was too difficult. It is very easy for us to look at Balaam and see how far off he was. What's hard is looking at ourselves and realizing we're making the same type of choice.

I urge you to seek God and devour Scripture for the truth. Repeatedly our Scriptural example made the hard choice, and God blessed them for it. Repeatedly we are given examples of how the easy choice ended. For me it is broadly apparent that the only real choice is to get into the furnace. Hard as that is, it is the only way.

Finding Peace With God

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

One of the jobs given to parents is to raise honest, responsible, moral children. We don't do this for our own good, but for theirs. We know that honesty pays off. We know that responsibility will serve them well, and good morals will keep them from disastrous choices. God's rules are much the same. They were given to keep us from bad choices, destructive lifestyles, and an eternity of torment.

Today many try to edit God's word so that their choices do not appear bad. Much like disobedient children, they attempt to subvert the rules to have their way. A good parent will never allow their child to get away with such disrespect, and neither will God. Most parents know when their child has broken the rules. God always does.

It is out of love that parents discipline their children, and love that God expresses His displeasure. With earthly parents children may manage to get by with some things, but with God nothing eludes His attention. The difference here is that earthly parents have been disobedient themselves. So, we can relate to the desire to do what we should not. 

With God, He not only sacrificed His only Son to pay for our sins, but He cannot co-habitate with sin.  This makes disobedience or sin a far more serious infraction to Him. Just as earthly parents enjoy being with their children, He longs to have a relationship with us. If we are in sin, that cannot be. His holiness will not allow it.

Despite what some say the God of the Bible is intensely interested and concerned with the lives of His creation. 

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. -- Isa 30:18

The magnificent Creator of all that is literally gets up to see to His creation. Like our earthly parents, He is genuinely concerned for those who seek Him. But also, like our earthly parents, He requires submission and obedience to His rules. If we are to have peace with Him, that is what we must do -- regard Him as the Father He is, with respect and obedience.

Therefore, gird your minds for action; keep sober in spirit, fix  your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of  Yeshua the Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." -- 1 Pet 1:13-16