Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Under the threat of death, three men refused to violate their God-held faith and beliefs by refusing to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol.
Evidently, someone high up in the kingdom snitched on the three men just to eliminate them.
I did not make much difference to the three. They were not bowing down to idols and false gods no matter the penalty and they did not mind telling the king that to his face.
Once again believers are in the same position. We are told to bow down to tolerance, political correctness, and to be more accepting of those believing differently.
We are told that Jesus is not the only way but one of many ways.
We need to refuse.
We need to stand.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did not hurt anyone with their stance.
They did not hate anyone.
They did not condemn anyone.
They refused to violate their principles.
I have the right to live by my faith and share my faith with others. I’m not going to physically attack you or hurt you.
I do not deny that you also have a right to live by your faith and share it with others but please don’t physically attack or hurt me.
That is our mutual respect.
But the Bible is the truth. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego know it. They lived it.