Not Under Obligation
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Not Under Obligation
Do you feel obligated to always be politically correct? Our society is fast developing the idea that the most intolerant people get to judge and sue those who have been tolerant, claiming they are intolerant because of their faith in God’s word.
Examples include: Christian prayer in schools is forbidden, but Muslim prayer is to be acceptable — pro-life doctors are taken to court for not performing abortions — Christian churches are assaulted for preaching God’s word regarding homosexuality — Christian seminaries are sued for not ordaining homosexual pastors — businesses are frowned upon for saying “Merry Christmas” and selling Christian decorations — teaching the theory of evolution is approved, but teaching intelligent design is forbidden — it’s politically correct to mock Christ, but politically incorrect to say faith in Christ is the only way to eternal life or say anything supposedly negative about another religion — the list of examples goes on and on.
In each of these situations, Christians are intimidated for holding onto their faith in God’s word. Does God’s word show us how we should be in these circumstances? Yes. There are many examples, but three are given here:
- Genesis 39 tells a part of the story of Joseph. He had become a slave in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Potiphar realized that God had blessed Joseph with great talents in management, so he had Joseph manage all of his household.
Because Joseph was handsome, Potiphar’s wife wanted to go to bed with him. She was on his case day after day after day. Joseph refused because Potiphar had entrusted everything to him and he wanted to remain trustworthy. Most importantly, in faith, Joseph declared, “How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?”
In pure spitefulness, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of raping her and Joseph was wrongfully thrown in jail. But, even in jail, Joseph remained faithful in all of his actions, and was blessed by God there.
We are not under obligation to sin morally, but must stand strong in God’s love and commandments.
- Daniel 3 tells the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were three young Israelites in exile in Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had built a huge statue and commanded all the people to bow down and worship it. Anybody who dared to refuse was to be thrown into a blazing furnace of fire.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down, Nebuchadnezzar was furious and said, “What god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?”
The three Israelites respectfully answered, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
The furnace was made extra hot and the soldiers who threw the three Israelites in were killed by the heat. Nevertheless, the three Israelites remained safe and someone with the appearance of “a son of the gods” walked around with them. They did not even smell like smoke when they came out.
The king declared their God to be the only God to be worshiped and made them prosper in the province of Babylon.
We are under no obligation to say that any of the “gods” of this world are in any way equal to the LORD God Almighty.
- Jesus is our third example. One needs to read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to get a gist of how He lived. The Romans ruled all of Israel, along with most all of Europe and northern Africa. They were morally decadent with their sexual orgies, infanticide, homosexuality, idolatry, and political tyranny.
In the midst of all that, Jesus simply preached the truth and lived the truth. He never once considered imitating their lifestyle or forcing them to live His lifestyle. Instead, He lived a life of quiet and perfect obedience to God’s ways.
Jesus always preached the truth of salvation through repentance and faith. He never minced words in an effort to be politically correct. Though He condemned all sexual sins, He willingly forgave all the repentant. Though He condemned all the man made traditions and false teachings of the Jewish leaders, He patiently taught them the how and why of the gospel.
We are under no obligation to accept the ways of the world. Instead, we are to be like Jesus, living in quiet obedience to our Lord and strongly standing up for the truth of the gospel.
Is there anything we are obligated to do? Yes! We are obligated to live rightly under God’s Lordship, because He suffered and died to pay for our sins. We have been bought by the blood of Christ and are to live accordingly.
When we humbly live with our Lord’s love, we will be free and gladly say, “Hallelujah! The Lord truly brings us real joy!”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods.
Pray for our country.
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The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
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The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
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Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
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How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
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Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
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O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
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Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
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Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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Hallelujah 
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