Faithful Living in a Faithless World: Whose Are You?

Study Notes

Faithful Living in a Faithless World: Whose Am I?

Daniel 1:1-21

     Every Christian carries at least two passports: one temporary and one permanent.  The temporary one is our secondary citizenship; the permanent one is primary.

     Until you grasp this, you won’t really know how to live well in this world as a follower of the Lord Jesus.  The point is this: When you place your faith in Jesus, you belong to God.  You are given a different citizenship that eclipses any other – with a different king, the King over all kings.  What happens is that you begin to view all of your life in this world as a part of a process preparing you for another place that will last forever.  In fact, you really cannot appreciate your life fully in this world until it sinks in that this world is not the primary place God has made you for.

     When you find yourself living for anything in this world – making any allegiance in this world your primary allegiance – then you will always be disappointed.  Why?  Because you were made for another king and another kingdom.  All this is to say that, when you and I give our lives to Jesus, we live in this world but with our ultimate allegiance being to the kingdom of God.  How do we live like that?

     The story of Daniel is a marvelous example of how we do that.  Oh, I know -- he lived over 2,500 years ago. But, I am quite sure you will be able to identify personally with him and his story.  Let’s start with chapter 1.

Setting the Stage

     Daniel grew up in a prestigious home in Jerusalem.  In Daniel’s youth, Judah’s leaders were walking away from God and the nation was deteriorating.  The great military super power of the day was Babylon. Babylon’s king, Nebuchadnezzar II, was a man driven by his desire for world domination.  Jeremiah called him, “The Destroyer of Nations” (Jer 4:7) because he took over one nation after another with his powerful army – including Judah.

     In fact, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Daniel’s nation of Judah three times:

1. 605 BC --He took a few of Judah’s smartest, best looking and capable young men (as v. 4 describes them) away from their homes back to Babylon.
2. 597 BC – He took a second group of about 10,000 people, including the prophet Ezekiel.
3. 586 BC – He destroyed the entire city of Jerusalem.

     Daniel was taken in the first group.  When he was taken captive, he probably was 14-16 years old.  So, he was among the brightest and the best of all the young men in Judah. He and three others were taken to Babylon, almost 1,700 miles away.  So, when you read Daniel’s story, you have to think of a high school aged student having this happen.  Imagine it: A pagan band of soldiers breaks into your home and carries you away.  You have to be thinking, “What are they going to do to me?”  “Will I be killed?  “Will I be a slave?” And, especially – “Where is God?” Let’s see what the Bible says.

#1: Where Is God, My King?  He is Always Present and Always in Control.  And God gave… (1:2,9,17).

     Let’s face it:  It certainly wouldn’t have felt God was in control to Daniel, his Jewish friends and their extended families. It certainly looked like Nebuchadnezzar was in control.  But, when you read Dan 1 in Daniel’s own language, you’ll see he used one phrase three times – each time showing that God was involved in all aspects of Daniel’s life.  Even this difficult reality was a part of God’s plan.  The phrase?  “And God gave.”

• V. 2 – And God gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand…

     It seemed like Nebuchadnezzar was in control – but no, this is all a part of God’s plan.  In the coming weeks, we’ll begin to see parts of why God was doing what he was doing.  Right now, let me only say that, when we read the story of the three Magi who came to the east because they knew of a King who was to be born of the Jews, you must ask, “Where did they hear a prophecy like that?”  Perhaps, it started with Daniel.  These Magi were Persians, like Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel’s witness would have almost certainly had a lasting impact.

• V. 9 – And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the Babylonian official…

     It would have seemed like there was no way these young men could stay pure and devoted to God in this foreign land -- but the Lord was there.  God worked in the heart of one man who made a decision that enabled them to stay holy unto God.

• V. 17 – And God gave them knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning…

     God gave these four boys what they needed to remain connected to this new world and productive in it.  They had to study, of course!  But, God was with them and was at work in their minds and their endeavors.

     I think this has so much to say to all of us.  For all of you headed off to college or into a new vocation or location, this has a direct application to you.  There is no God-forsaken place in God’s universe.  There is no place that he is not.  So, when you find yourself in any kind of situation, choose to interpret is as, “God put me here!”  And, know that God will be there – and that has put you wherever you are for a reason, i.e., to bless those he brings around you; to give witness to him through your life and words.

#2:  What Will the Kingdoms of This World Try to Do?  Always to Mold You in Their Image. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service (1:5).

     The main point of this first chapter is that these young men were supposed to be people set apart to live for God instead of for anything in this world – but every influence around them tried to make them to have their first allegiance be to Babylon’s king and to become like every other Babylonian citizen.  Vv. 4-7 describe the kinds of pressures they underwent to wipe out their distinctiveness as God’s people:

• Separation – They were ripped out of their homes and sent into a new place.

     So, they no longer would have to please their parents or priests or youth group.  Let me tell you this: When you have freedom to do what you want to do without the constraints of family or church, you then have the freedom to do what is consistent with who you truly are inside.  When you are dislocated from your comfort zones, you will find out who you truly are.  No, you will find out whose you truly are!  You will discover whether Jesus is truly the Lord of your life or whether this faith you professed to be yours was merely a cultural religion?  Is Jesus truly the Lord of your life?  Daniel discovered that Jehovah God was his God.

• Indoctrination – They were forced to go through three years of intense Babylonian education.

     Much of what they would have been taught would have clashed with the Scriptures they had been taught at home.  I can imagine the way the professors at the King’s University in Babylon viewed them: “How can these provincial Jewish boys really believe that their God is the God of the world.  Their God can’t even stand up against our king and our army.  We’re living in the 6^th C BC!  How can anyone believe those old Jewish stories in their Bibles!”

     The boys would have to think deeply about whether the faith they had believed was true and whether the God they said they had met was real.  Have you gone through times like that?  I have.  It’s tough when everything you are taught seems like it undermines everything you believe.

• Assimilation – They were put through a way of life totally immersed in Babylonian culture.

     They were provided a luxurious lifestyle, including the best accommodations, the best food and best wine.  Remember that they had been taken from a country that had been devasted by war.  Life would have been hard.  Could they give up all this to remain true to God?  Once you’ve tasted the best, it’s hard to go back to crumbs.

• Identification – They were assigned different names.

     From our last series in the life of Jacob, we learned that a name in the Bible stood for who you are and what you are like.  We know these four boys had come from godly homes because of their names:  Daniel – God is my judge; Hananiah – Approved by Jehovah; Mishael – No one like my God; Azariah – Jehovah is my help.

     These bright and gifted young men were destined for leadership in Babylon so, of course, they could no longer be known by those names.  So, look at how the rulers in Babylon wanted them to be known (v.7):

• Daniel, God is my judge, they called Belteshazzar, Bel’s (their patron god) Prince.
• Hananiah, Approved by Jehovah, they called Shadrach, Led by Aku (the sun god).
• Mishael, No One like My God, they called Meshach, Who Is like Shak, another of their gods.
• Azariah, Jehovah is My Help, they called Abednego, Servant of the Shining Fire.

     Is the point clear to you? In doing all this, the Babylonians’ goal was to erase all distinctions – to make everyone in the world Babylonians in thought and worldview.  You see, the Babylonians wanted to rule the world.  Their strategy was very different from many other nations who desired that.  They did not conquer a nation and make them all slaves.  No, they conquered a nation and made them all Babylonians. 

     Do you remember our series earlier this year entitled, God’s Biggest Story?  In it, we saw that God chose one people, beginning with Abraham, who would need to stay distinct as God’s people from all the peoples of the world – through whom all the peoples of the world eventually would be blessed.  That plan of God was at stake in what we read in this chapter.  How would these boys remain faithful to God in a world committed to molding them into the image of their culture?

#3:  What Can We Do to Live for our King While in another Kingdom? Find a way to identify “Whose you are”; then, serve others in his name. 

     We will discover that Daniel both lived for God and he made positive contributions to the people in this foreign country.  He lived well in the world while never becoming conformed to it.  Do you want to learn how to do that?  Let me boil down what I see that Daniel did in ch. 1 into a couple of points:

Be aware (v.5) -- of the pressure to conform to the world.

     Although he was only 15, Daniel was able to discern what was at stake in responding to what the Babylonians were trying to do.  This challenge in ch.1 was not going to be a sensational battle in a fiery furnace like ch.3 or in a lion’s den like ch.6. This one was much more subtle – but, probably, much more dangerous.  Daniel was in a battle for his mind and soul.  It was going to be hard to resist all the allures of the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world.

     I think victory in these kinds of struggles always starts with awareness.  It’s hard to take a stand against something when you’re not even aware of how dangerous it is.  So, do you see any place in your life in which you feel you are being shaped to be more and more like a world that rejects God?  It can happen in any setting in this world – not just the king’s palace or the university.  Be aware.

Be resolute (v.8a) -- about maintaining your identity as a child of the King who is your king.

     “But Daniel resolved…”. What a strong phrase.  What a powerful commitment!  Day after day, I’m sure he found that resolved being tested.   That’s always the case.  He would have to show this King in vv.19-20 that he wasn’t a mindless religious nut – but that he was the best student he possibly could be. 

     Notice this: Daniel’s main question was not just, “Can I do this or that now that I’m in Babylon?”  I’m quite he could have found good reasons for eating the food and drinking the king’s wine that was there. His question was, “How can I be a person who consistently lives for God?  How can I be set apart for the Lord in this new setting he has placed me in?

     So, never be naïve about the erosive and molding power of culture.  You need a deep inner resolve to live in a way that you are known by those who watch you as a child of the King over kings.  Have you ever resolved to do anything – or not to do something – simply as a clear mark that you belong to God?  I ask you today to make a commitment like Daniel made:  Resolve in your mind, will and heart that you will not merely become like everyone else.  Daniel “resolved in his heart…”. I call you to do the same.

Be wise – about identifying some specific thing that will set you apart.

     In a situation like this, you could choose to be different about everything, i.e., not to allow anything in your life to be like the Babylonians.  That choice would have made Daniel different for sure -- but without any influence to bring about good.  Or, you could choose to be completely like those around you – then you might have some influence but you would not be distinctive as a child of God.

     Please notice that Daniel did not reject going to school and learning what the professors were teaching.  He may not have believed it all – but he mastered it all.  And, he did not say, “I refuse to serve a megalomaniac king.”  No, he learned to serve that king – and to become a blessing to that king.  And, Daniel did not refuse to let them call him Belteshazzar.  No, he answered to that name. But, at the same time, he found something that would declare to everyone that he belonged to God.

     It’s important to notice that, when Daniel chose the way he would set himself apart from the world, he still dealt with those in authority with respect.  He asked the official to grant his request.  When the official said no, Daniel stood his ground but did so with graciousness.  My point is that he was not obnoxious or proud. He found a way to move forward in his life for God in his new setting – and still dealt with people respectfully.

     What did Daniel choose to do?  The thing Daniel chose to set him apart was food and drink.  Why? Lots of people speculate about this.  Had the king’s food been offered to idols?  Was it merely that he didn’t want to break Jewish food laws?  Was it that being a vegan is the only way to live for God?  I see something else.

     I think the main thing was that Daniel knew that, if he could find the freedom to eat differently, he would not become like everyone else around him.  Everybody else would surely have wanted to have the best food and drink in the world.  But, he knew that, every day, three times a day, he would be reminding himself and all who watched him that he was different.  Every mealtime, they would know whose he was.  And, just as much, he would know whose he was.  He would be a great citizen in Babylon – but his main allegiance was to his other passport.  He belonged to the King over all kings.

     I want you now to begin praying about one thing that is a regular part of your life that could help you identify yourself as a follower of Jesus – while still enabling you to be a good student, a good worker, a good boss, etc.  Can you think of anything?  I’ll give you a few ideas:

• In the movie, Chariots of Fire, we saw the true story of Eric Liddell who chose not to run on Sundays because that was the day he set apart to the Lord. But, he still trained every other day and became the best runner God had made him able to be.  Do you think that, maybe, going to church each Sunday – even when others are taking SAT courses or others are playing baseball – might be something you and your family should consider?
• Years ago, some high school students from LAC attending Marshall Fundamental School here in Pasadena looked for a way to identify themselves as Christians. They chose to start a student club that met each week to pray and to hear something from God’s Word.  The simply called it, The Christian Club.  By doing so, they thought they would be able to remind themselves and all who saw them going to the club that they were Christians.  I think the group still meets.

     I want you to let the Spirit of God lead you in finding a way to make known that you are devoted to Jesus – just as, it seems, he led Daniel.  We, like Daniel, are people with two passports.  Daniel would live in Babylon but his ultimate allegiance would not be to Babylon.  He would live there but, while he did, he would ultimately live for his true King.  He somehow knew that, in doing so, he would also be a more positive part of Babylon.   

     V.21 is such a powerful conclusion to this first chapter.  It lays out where this 15-year-old’s life, now identified with God, would be heading:  Daniel remained in Babylon until the first year of King Cyrus. 

     Do you see it?  Daniel was living for God in 605 BC as a 15-year-old under the reign of the seemingly invincible earthly king, Nebuchadnezzar.  And, Daniel would be doing so as an 82-year-old in 538 BC under another seemingly invincible king name Cyrus.  And, he was a blessing to his world all the time because, ultimately, he was serving with the one who was his real King.

     So, as you leave church today, see the place to which you go as a place God has sent you.  Identify something that it will be clear to you and to others that you belong to God.  Make it evident both to yourself and to the world around -- whose you are!  Then seek to bless those around you through the way you serve – the way you speak – the way you live… to God’s glory alone.

Chinese Study Notes

在沒有信仰的世界裏信實地活著：我屬於誰？

但1：1-21

            每個基督徒都至少有兩重身份：一個是暫時的，一個是永久的。這暫時的身份是附屬的，而那永久的身份才是主要的。

            除非你明白了這一點，否則你不會真正的知道，作為主耶穌的跟隨者，你如何才能生活得美好。重點是，當你信靠耶穌時，你就是屬神的，你就被賦予了一種完全不同的公民身份，在這個國度裏，有不同的國王，就是那萬王之王 。在此生，你那暫時的公民身份很短暫。你應當將世上的生命看作是一個過程，為要給那持續到永遠的世界做好準備。其實除非你認識到，這個世界不是神為你所造的主要居所，否則你無法真正地享受你在世上的生活。

            你會發現，在這個世上，假如你為其它任何事物而活，把對世界的忠誠作為你最根本的忠誠，那麽你永遠會失望，為什麽？因為你是為了另一個國度與國王而生。這一切都告訴我們，當你和我把自己的生命交托給耶穌的時候，即使我們生活在這個世界，我們最終的忠誠卻是歸於神的國度。那麽我們怎樣才能這樣生活呢？

            但以理的故事給了我們很好的教導。他生活在2500年前，但是我很確定，你對他的故事會感同身受。讓我們從第一章開始看。

設置背景

            但以理生長於猶大的一個名門望族，猶大族是亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各的後裔。在但以理年輕的時候，猶大的領袖們偏離了神，國家開始衰敗。當時的軍事強國是巴比倫。巴比倫的國王尼布甲尼撒二世（https://i.stack.imgur.com/FVXqQ.jpg?s=328&g=1 )是一個企圖稱霸世界的人。耶利米稱他為“毀壞列國的”（耶4：7），因為他靠著自己強大的軍隊，吞滅了一個又一個的國家，包括猶大。

            事實上，尼布甲尼撒曾三次圍攻但以理的國家猶大：

1. 1. 公元前605年：他擄走了一些猶大國裏通達各樣學問、相貌俊美、最有能力的年輕人（4節），將他們帶到巴比倫
2. 2. 公元前597年：他擄走了第二批人，約有一萬人左右，包括先知以西結。
3. 3. 公元前586年：他摧毀了整個耶路撒冷城。

但以理在被擄的第一批人之中。那時他可能是14到16歲之間。他是所有猶太年輕人之中最

聰明、最優秀的人。他和其他三個人被帶到大約1700裏以外的巴比倫（https://i.pinimg.com/originals/85/30/ff/8530ff63178bb1bf1241b1153a84908d.jpg )。因此，當你讀但以理的故事時，你應當聯想到這件事是發生在一個高中生身上。想象一下：一群異教徒的士兵闖進你家將你帶走。你肯定會想：“他們想要做什麽？”“他們會不會殺掉我？” 你尤其會問“神啊，你在哪裏？”讓我們看一看聖經說了什麽。

第一：神啊，我的王，你在哪裏？祂永遠和你同在，也永遠掌權。神賜給……(1:2,9,17)

            讓我們面對現實：但以理、他的猶太朋友和他們的家人當然無法感覺到神在掌權。他們當然會覺得是尼布甲尼撒在掌權。但是當你讀到第一章中但以理自己所說的話時，你會看到，他三次使用了同一個短句，每一次都顯明，神介入了但以理生活的每個層面。即便是這樣艱難的境況，也是神計劃的一部分。這個短句就是“神賜給了……”。

• 第2節：神將猶大王約雅敬交在尼布甲尼撒的手中……看起來好像尼布甲尼撒在掌管一切，但其實並非如此，這些都是神計劃的一部分。在未來的幾周裏，我們要看一看，為什麽神要如此行。現在，我只想說，當我們讀到新約中三位博士的故事時，他們因為聽說猶太人的王將要誕生而來到東方的時候，你肯定會問：“他們是怎麽聽說那個預言的？”也許這一切始於但以理。這些博士是波斯人，和尼布甲尼撒一樣，但以理的當時見證一定會產生持久的影響。
• 第9節：神使但以理在太監長眼前蒙恩惠，受憐憫。

            在這片異國的土地上，這些年輕人似乎無法保持對神的忠貞與聖潔，但是主與他們同在。神在決策者的心中作工，讓他做出決定，使他們能夠保持聖潔。

• 第17節：神在各樣文字學問上，賜給他們聰明知識……

               神將他們在那個新的環境中所需要的技能與成效都賜給那四個年輕人。當然，他們必須要學習，但是神與他們同在，並在他們的思想與努力之中作工。

            我覺得，這對我們每個人來說都包含著很多內涵。對你們所有要去上大學、或者要進入新的職業或居所的人，這對你有著直接的引導作用。在神所造的宇宙裏，沒有神所棄絕之處，也沒有神所不在之處。因此，無論當你發現自己處於何種境況之中，你都要選擇這樣的解釋：“是神將我放在了這裏！”我知道，神也在那裏，祂將你放在那裏是有原因的，比如為要祝福那些祂安置在你身邊的人們，或是要藉著你的生命和言語為祂作見證。

第二，這個世界的國度要做什麽？它總是要將你塑造成他們的形象。王派定將自己所用的膳和所飲的酒，每日賜給他們一分，養他們三年。滿了三年，好叫他們在王面前寺立（1：5）。

            第一章的重點是，這些年輕人應當是分別為聖、為神而活的人，但是他們身邊的一切都使他們像巴比倫公民那樣首先效忠於巴比倫王。4-7節描述了他們所面對的一切都試圖要抹去他們為神子民的獨特性：

• • 分離---- 他們被趕出家門，被擄到一個新的地方。因此，他們無需再取悅他們的父母、牧師或是青年團契。讓我告訴你：當你有自由為所欲為而沒有家庭或教會的限制時，你就會有自由做回你真正內在的自我。當你離開你的舒適區時，你就會發現你真實的自我。不，你就會發現你真正屬於誰！你會發現，耶穌到底是不是你生命真正的主宰，還是這個你所認同的信仰僅僅是一種文化上的宗教。耶穌是你生命真正的主嗎？但以理發現，耶和華神是他的神。
• • 灌輸 ---- 他們被迫接受三年巴比倫的密集教育。

         他們所學習的東西大多都與他們在家所學的聖經相沖突。我能想象巴比倫王國大學的教授怎樣看他們：“這些省級猶太男孩怎麽能相信他們的神就是整個世界的神呢？他們的神甚至都無法站出來反對我們的國王和軍隊。我們生活在公元前第六世紀！怎會有人相信那些聖經裏古老的猶太故事！”

        這些男孩子必須要深入思考，他們所篤信的信仰是否是真實的，他們所認識的神是否是真實的。你有沒有經歷過那樣的時候？我有。當你被教導的一切破壞了你所相信的一切時，你會很難過。

• • 同化 ---- 他們所經歷的生活完全浸潤在巴比倫的文化之中。他們有著豪華的生活方式，包括最好的住宿、最好的食物、美酒。請記住，他們來自一個被戰爭蹂躪的國家。百姓過著艱難的生活。他們能否為了忠於神而放棄這一切？你一旦體驗到了最好的，就很難再回到貧窮與破敗之中。
• • 身份認同---- 他們都被王賜予了新的名字‘

從我們上一個系列講到的雅各生平之中，我們了解到，聖經中的名字就代表了一個人的特質。從這四個男孩的名字中不難看出，他們來自敬虔的家庭，他們的名字是：但以理 ---- 神是我的審判者；哈拿尼亞 ----  為耶和華神所認可；米沙利 ---- 無人像我的神；亞撒利亞 ---- 耶和華是我的幫助。

            這些聰明且有天賦的年輕人註定要成為巴比倫的領袖，因此，他們當然不會再叫從前的名字。，因此我們來看一看巴比倫的統治者們是如何稱呼他們的（7節）：

            ---- 但以理，神是我的審判官，他們稱他為博提沙撒，就是博爾的王子，博爾就是他們的守護神

            ----哈拿尼亞，為耶和華所認可，他們稱他為沙得拉，意思是為太陽神阿庫所引導

            ----米沙利，無人像我的神，他們稱他為米煞，很像煞克，他們所拜的一個神

            ---- 亞撒利雅，耶和華是我的幫助，他們稱他為亞伯尼歌，閃亮火焰的仆役

            你從中是不是能看得很清楚？這一切都顯明 了巴比倫人想要抹去他們獨特性的目的，為要讓每個人都有巴比倫人的思想和觀念。你看，巴比倫人想要統治世界。他們的策略與其他有同樣目的的國家不同。他們沒有征服某個國家，使他們成為奴隸；不，他們征服一個國家之後，使他們所有人都變為巴比倫人。他們的第一步，就是從被征服國家中可能成為下一代領袖的人年幼之時開始籌劃。然後，他們就消除那些男孩子心中任何與眾人不同的信念、信仰或者價值觀。當那個國家的其余部分都被征服時，他們的國人就會有猶太面孔的領袖，然而他們的世界觀和文化卻徹底是巴比倫人的。

            你還記得嗎？我們今年早些時候有一個系列主題，名叫“神最偉大的故事”。在其中，我們看到，神揀選了一個族群，從亞伯拉罕開始，神將他從世上萬民之中分別出來，就是從那最終因他將蒙祝福的百姓之中分別出來。在我們所讀到的這一章中，神的計劃危在旦夕。當這些男孩們生活在一個致力於將他們在異族文化中塑造成型的世界中的時候，他們如何還能保持對神的忠誠？

第三：當我們住在另一個國度時，我們應當如何為我們的王而活？要找到方法來顯明“你是屬誰的”，然後，要以祂的名義而服事他人。

            我們也會看到，但以理既能夠為神而活，又能為他所在的國家和百姓做出正面的貢獻。他在這個世界生活得很好，然而卻從未順應他們。你想學習如何做到這一點嗎？在我們的第一個信息中，讓我總結一下我所看到的但以理做到的幾件事：

留意（5節）---- 留心順應世界的傾向

            盡管但以理只有十五歲，他已經能夠分辨出回應巴比倫人時的輕重緩急。這個關系在第一章裏並不像在第三章裏談到的烈火的窯或是第六章中進入獅子洞的那樣富於挑戰。他在第一章裏的境況很微妙、可能也更危險。但以理在為他的思想和靈魂而戰。拒絕世上最強大的國家所有的誘惑是很困難的。

            我認為，在這一類的爭戰中，勝利總是始於意識。如果你沒有意識到某件事的危險，你就很難選擇一個反對它的立場。因此，你是否看到， 在你生活中的某個方面，你被世界越來越多地塑造成為拒絕神的樣子？這可以在任何環境背景中發生，不單只是在王宮中、或是在大學裏。要意識到這一點。

要立誌（8節）---- 要保持神子民的身份

            “但是但以理立誌……”多麽強烈的用詞！多麽有力的承諾！我確信，他已經通過了測試。事情總是如此。在19-20節中，他要向國王展示，他不是一個沒有思想的宗教狂，而是在盡力成為最好的學生。

            請留意，但以理的主要問題不僅僅是“我現在在巴比倫，我可以做這個或那個嗎？”我確信他能找到很好的理由去吃喝國王的酒席。他的問題是：“我怎樣能成為一個始終為神而活的人？在神所安置我的這個新的環境中，我怎樣才能分別為聖？

            因此，永遠不要輕看文化的侵蝕及其塑造的力量。你需要在內心中立誌，按照那從年幼就看顧你的萬王之王所定的方式生活。你有沒有過立誌做什麽事情、或者立誌不做什麽事情，為要作為你屬於神的一個明確的標記？今天，我要請你像但以理一樣做一個承諾：在你的頭腦、意念和心中立誌，不要讓自己像其他人一樣。但以理“在心中立誌……”我呼召你做同樣的事。

要聰穎明智 ---- 能以辨別將你分別為聖的事物

            在這樣的境況中，你可以選擇在一切事上都不同，比如不允許你生活中的任何事情像巴比倫人。這樣的選擇一定會使但以理與眾不同，但是卻沒有任何影響力，也無法帶來益處。或者，你也可以選擇完全像你周圍的人，那樣你可能會有一些影響力，但是你卻已經失去了神子民的獨特性。

            請留意，但以理並沒有拒絕去學校學習老師所教導的內容。他可能並不相信那些，但是他掌握了所學的一切。而且他沒有說：“我拒絕服事一個自大狂的、把我從家園擄掠來的國王。”不，他反而學著去服事那個國王，我們會看到，他成為了那個國王的祝福。

            而且，但以理也並沒有拒絕讓他們稱呼他為博提沙撒，他回應這個稱呼。但是同時，他找到了向所有人宣告他屬於神的方法。

            重要的是要註意到，當但以理選擇了將自己分別為聖的方式時，他仍然尊重那些掌權的人。他請求太監長批準他的要求。當太監長拒絕了他之後，他仍然堅持自己的立場，然而卻是帶著恩慈的堅持。我的重點是，他絲毫沒有傲慢或討厭的態度。在他的新環境之中，他找到了為神而活的方法，並且他仍舊可以尊重他人。

            但以理如何選擇將自己分別為聖？他選擇了食物和飲料。為什麽？許多人都做過推測，國王的食物是否祭拜過偶像？但以理僅僅是不想違反猶太人的食物法規嗎？做一名素食主義者是否就是為神而活的唯一方式呢？我從中看到了另一個方面。

            我認為最重要的是，但以理知道，如果他可以有選擇不同食物的自由，那麽他就不會像身邊的其他人一樣。每個人當然都想要世上最好的食物和飲品。但是他知道，每一天，每天三次，他都會提醒自己和那些看守他的人，他是不同的。在每次的進餐時間，他們都會知道他屬於誰，他也同樣知道他屬於誰。他是巴比倫的一名很好的公民，但是他忠誠於另一個國度，他屬於萬王之王。

            我希望你能為你生活中的一件常規之事而禱告，那件事可以幫助你認定自己是耶穌的跟隨者，同時卻並不影響你做一名好學生、好員工、好老板……你可以想到這樣一件事嗎？我可以給你一些建議：

• • 在電影“烈火戰車”中，我們看到埃裏克•利德爾的真實故事，他在星期日選擇了不去參賽，因為那一天是他為神分別為聖的一天。然而他仍舊每隔一天參加訓練，最終，神使他成為一名最好的短跑運動員。你是否認為，在其他人都在上SAT的課程或是玩籃球的時候，每周日是否仍要堅持去教會是值得你和家人考慮的事情？
• • 多年前，我們教會的一些高中生在帕薩迪納的馬歇爾基礎學校學習時，要找到他們表明自己是基督徒的辦法。他們選擇了創建一個學生俱樂部，每周聚會禱告、學習神的話語。他們的俱樂部就叫做基督徒俱樂部。他們覺得如此就可以提醒他們自己和所有看到他們去俱樂部的人們，他們是基督徒。我想那個俱樂部直到現在還在聚會。

我希望大家能蒙聖靈的引導，找到一種方法，使人們知道你使委身於耶穌的，就像但以理那樣。我們也像但以理一樣，有兩個國度。但以理身在巴比倫，但他最終的忠誠卻不屬於巴比倫。他在那裏生活，但他卻為了他的主而活。他知道，這樣做將會使他成為巴比倫更積極的一個部分。

            21節是第一章的強有力的結論。它描述了這個認同神的十五歲年輕人的生命將要去的地方：但以理留在巴比倫，直到居魯士國王的元年。

            你看到了嗎？在公元前605 年，但以理作為一個十五歲的年輕人，在看似無敵的國王----尼布甲尼撒王的統治之下，能夠為神而活。而且，但以理在82歲時在另一名看似無敵的賽勒斯國王的統治下也同樣為神而活。自始至終，在他的世界裏，他都是一個祝福。因為他最終所事奉的都是那位真正的王。

            因此，當你今天離開教會的時候，要將你所到之處都看作是神差派你去的。找出一些方法，使你自己和其他人都清楚知道，你是屬神的。讓你自己和周圍的人們都知道，你屬於誰！然後藉著你服事的方式、你說話的方式和你生活的方式，祝福你周遭的人們，單單為了榮耀神的名。

榮耀歸給神，

Greg Waybright 博士

主任牧師