https://esv.literalword.com/?q=daniel+5%3B+1+john+1
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 20 October 2023:
Note: Here is a short video summary of 1-3 John: https://thebibleproject.com/explore/1-3-john/
1 John 1: 5-10 — This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The mark of the Christian life is striving for holiness while trusting in grace. Christians never take sin lightly, but neither do they minimalize the purifying work of Jesus. (Hebrews 9:14) The Christian’s motivation for holiness and purity isn’t self-righteousness or the worldly benefits of good living but rather fellowship with Him (see John 17:3), and fellowship with Him naturally produces fellowship with others who are earnestly seeking Him in loving obedience.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves….” A self-righteous Christian is an oxymoron. So is an unrepentant Christian or one consumed in unresolved guilt – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Christian life naturally produces fruit in keeping with repentance – ” Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8) The fruit comes naturally from being connected to the source of Life and all good things (John 14:6 and James 1:17), Jesus – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) So, what is this fruit? “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22, 23) These attributes are impossible apart from Christ, but also require our effort – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Yet, even the fruitful branch requires continual pruning by God – “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” The truth is in Christ our hearts have been cleansed from an evil conscience, and the blood of Christ “will” continue to purify our consciences from dead works, but we must also “practice the truth” by striving to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. This is a resting in God’s grace while simultaneously working out God’s grace in our lives to His glory – active rest in continual joy. Only God can produce fruit, but he created us to cultivate it.
– 1 Timothy 1:5 — The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
– Hebrews 10:22 — Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
– Hebrews 9:14 — How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
– Acts 24:16 — So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
– Hebrews 13:18 — Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
– Proverbs 4:18 — But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
Daniel 5:17 — Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another.”
In our previous readings in Daniel, we learned of his amazing character which earned him the special trust and confidence of the king. Daniel was not only excellent in all things, but he also carefully guarded his purity, even with the smallest things. In every way, Daniel gave all honor, praise, and glory to God who had blessed him with special abilities. Daniel’s faithful witness impacted an entire nation, the most influential nation on the planet at that time.
Today’s readings from Daniel include two very famous stories: the Writing on the Wall and the Lion’s Den. One of the many important lessons from these stories is the need to avoid becoming unequally yoked and entangled with ungodly people and in the systems of the world. Notice Daniel, having been previously appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as “ruler over the whole province of Babylon… chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon, [and] chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers (Daniel 2:48, 5:11),” was not found at the palace enjoying the privilege and prestige of his position; in fact, the new king Belshazzar apparently hadn’t even heard of him.
Daniel could have “had it all” yet he would have none of it. King Belshazzar offers Daniel the position of “third highest ruler in the kingdom.” Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to have such an important position? But Daniel says, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.” His response is very similar to the response Abraham gave the king of Sodom: “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich’ (Genesis 14:21-23).” Daniel’s response also resembles Jesus’ response to Satan in the desert when he reminds Satan that His purpose is to glorify the Father and serve the Kingdom of God rather than the kingdoms of man — “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” (Matthew 4:10) Conversely, we read of God’s anger with Jehoshaphat for not only supporting the wicked king Ahab but also for going into business with his son King Ahaziah (1 Kings 22:1-40; 2 Chron 18-19).
Too often we compromise our holiness for worldly success and pursuit of the American dream. If we were in Daniel or Jehoshaphat’s shoes, we might be tempted to say, “God could really use my great success,” or “I could use this position and wealth to better spread the Word.” But what is the price paid exchanging integrity and holiness to gain and maintain prominent position?
Despite Daniel’s desire to remain set apart, Darius was intent on placing Daniel “over the whole kingdom.” Daniel didn’t seek a political position, but once in office, his fidelity to God was tested greater than ever before, and in his fidelity, he impacted the whole nation for God’s glory: “Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: ‘Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.” (Daniel 6:25, 26) Note that reconciliation between Daniel and the king was achieved only when the king submitted to God’s authority, not by Daniel conceding or compromising his holiness.
– 2 Corinthians 6:14 — “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
Why you do the things you do? What motivates you? On what are your goals and ambitions based? On what are your personal relationships based? Do you live for God’s glory or for self-interest? Daniel lived for God. When an ordinance was made making worshipping God a crime punishable by death, Daniel boldly and publicly worshipped God even more fervently – he would have rather died horrifically than to fail to worship His God. Though it would have been a simple thing for Daniel to worship in private, Daniel refused to deny God the glory due Him through the life of one of His faithful servants. He refused, even as a captive of the most ruthless king on the planet, to put his light of faith under a bowl regardless the cost. Oh, that we would be so committed and faithful! How many times have we been motivated to comprise or conceal our faith due to greed, fear, ambition, anger, jealously, and other worldly passions rather than being motivated by love, awe, reverence, and joy for God to boldly live out and proclaim a life in Christ regardless the temporal cost? Continue to pray for the type of courageous faithfulness displayed by Daniel, and step out obediently in the faith you already have that your faith may grow – “And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.'” (Luke 17:6)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 20 October 2023: Pray that God will give you to courage to remain holy and bold as a faithful ambassador for Christ where God has placed you. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Pursue righteousness while walking confidently in grace. Walk in mutually supportive relationships with others who are headed where you are headed, closer to Jesus, and notice how much closer you get with each other along the way.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 