LOSE LIFE AND FIND LIFE

LOSE LIFE AND FIND LIFE​

Daniel 3.16-18
16."Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.

17.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.

18.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."


What really surprised me and amazed me is the answer of the friends of Daniel. They know more than anyone else and have no doubts about capabilities of GOD, His power and His might, and directly said to king that they GOD will deliver them from his hand (verse 17).


But even more astonishing is that they said next to the king, "But even if He does not " save them from the king and horrible death in furnace, they do not turn away from their GOD and will not serve and worship his golden image, or any other gods for that matter.


This only means what whatever GOD chooses to do with them, save them or let them die, they will still remain completely faithful and fully dedicated to their GOD under any circumstances, good or bad.


No prayer, no tears shading, no arguments, no complains, no angry words, no blasphemy toward GOD will be made on their part, but only silent full obedience and complete submission to the will of GOD. Whatever GOD decides to do with them, they fully and completely accepted without saying a word.


This is really extraordinary obedience and submission to GOD which is very hard to find even in the Bible. This is very special portion of the Holy Scripture indicates as to what kind level of faith human beings can go and achieve.


Actually here is something beyond faith, because faith relates primarily to salvation and deliverance in such cases, but when the people deliberately and willingly accepted their demise and prepare to face death for their principals and ideals, knowing that they may perish for their believes even if the high Power able to save them, but may decide not to do so. Such extraordinarily strong feat of dedication for the cause they are standing for, can be compared even to Christ's Sacrifice.


Jesus Christ willingly, without any pressure from His Father, gave Himself up to be crucified, knowing that He will die physically, but spiritually His Spirit will live forever. Because of such great accomplishment even His physical crucified body became immortal according to His Own Words:


Matthew 10.39
39."Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10.39, 16.25) (Mark 8.35) (Luke 9.24, 17.33) (John 12.25)


Many people do not understand these words, but they truly revealed themselves in the friends of Daniel. Loosing means loosing the physical life, but find it means spiritual eternal life. For what? For the sake of GOD.


The same thought perhaps was and in the friends of Daniel when they faced king, his anger, and certain death in furnace. Even they never heard these Words of Christ, they did exactly as Christ teach and taught people in His speeches and conversations.


They decided to lose their physical lives for the sake of GOD in order to have everlasting life in spirit. What possibly could be more honorable and better that this?


Of course it is not easy and far not every human capable of such great deed to give up their lives, even for the sake of the Lord, but according to these verses above, which told us a true story of extraordinary people who are willing to do this, this means that it is possible for some people to achieve such great accomplishment for the sake of the Lord and preserve themselves in eternity.

 

You wrote Cathode:

"To believe in Jesus is only the beginning, not just to believe enough to be saved."

It should be a very big banner with these words hanging at the entrance of every church, to remind people that "not just to believe enough to be saved," but believe in GOD and love Him for everything He has created, and for His pure mercy, pure compassion, and pure great love.