When was the last time you were doused with Dove Dishwashing Liquid, hosed with water, and launched slip-slidin away down a steep, soapy, visquine covered hill in the company of 300 out of control teenagers, and survived? Welcome to Open Bible East Teen camp!
Nancy and I spoke to the 300 young people about "CHARACTER FIRST" and how Daniel and his friends, despite a Babylonian culture that sought to remove every vestige of God from their lives, purposed in their hearts that they would not defile themselves. Not only did they refuse to blend into the culture, but they went counter-cultural, serving God boldly in a Godless society. Promotion and persecution followed (think Tim Tebow, who being both loved and hated, has been traded to of all places, NYC, so that the Lord can maximize the influence of a mediocre NFL QB who has a lion heart). The greatest thing a Christian can do is show who the real Jesus is by revealing the character of Christ through who they are and how they live. Daniel showed character at the tender age of 17, and he showed character at 70. All the way through his life, Daniel stood on his convictions, lived his core values, and had the courage to face lions rather than compromise for a lie. Character brings Influence!
Most of us have admired Joe Paterno through the years, and hopefully no one takes joy at Joe's statue being removed from Penn State Stadium. But how could a man who carried so much influence take to his death the infamy of staying silent when innocents were knowingly abused (we all had better take heed to this, because even the best can be deceived)? It was so much more than Joe being silent. It was that Penn State football became Godlike, and Joe violated his character, his conscience, and his core values to protect the Godlike status of a football program.
In this neo-Babylonian culture that we live in today (read Revelation 18), we daily face choices to stand on our convictions, or to compromise. The world, our flesh, and the devil are three strong opponents and we are tempted by the false Gods of our culture. Those who think they stand, take heed lest you fall. Whether you are 17 or 70, purpose in your heart to not defile yourself with your choices, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to stand on your convictions. I would much rather be persecuted for standing in the character of Jesus than to endure the shame of compromise whether it be public or private.
May the character of Jesus exude from your life, and may your influence grow as you stand on your convictions.
