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Removing the World's Ties
Daniel 3:23
"And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."
We sing the song, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..." The problem with passing through this world is that the world often is very unfriendly to the Christian. We find as we pass through this world that it will often place it's ropes upon us to bind us, keeping us from being free to do God's will for our lives.
The three Hebrew children found themselves in this situation. Nebuchadnezzar had set up an image for everyone to worship. His command was that everyone should bow to this image when the music began to play. However, the three Hebrew children would not bow to this image, for they knew they were not to bow down to any graven images. Their stand for right caused them to face the fiery furnace. What is interesting is that when they were thrown into the furnace, they were bound by the ropes of the world. Yet, when they came out of the furnace, the only thing on them that was burnt were the ropes. These men saw the ties of the world removed from their lives when they walked out of the fire. However, there were four steps they had to take to remove the world's ties.
First, they had to take an uncompromising stand. When others around them were bowing to the image, these young men stood strong for what they believed. You will never be loosed from the ties of the world when you bow to the world's offers. Christian, God never said that serving Him would be easy. If Jesus had to face the cross, then why do you think that you can go through this life without having to take a stand? The more you bow to the threats of the world, the more ties the world will place upon you. The first step in removing the world's ties is to stop worrying about the consequences and take an uncompromising stand.
Second, these men had to have faith in God's promises. They had faith that God would see them through the fire. Their faith did not waver in the face of persecution. You will never see the ties of the world removed from your life until you act upon the promises of God. Sure, it takes faith to act upon God's promises, but you will never please God until you step out upon His promises.
Third, these men had to endure the fire to see the world's ties removed. You will notice that the ties were not removed until they went into the fire. Likewise, you will never see the world's ties removed from your life until you endure the fire of life's trials. Everybody has trials that they must endure. Some endure the fiery trial of health, while others must endure financial struggles. Some endure the fiery trials of ridicule, while others must endure the loss of a loved one. Whatever the trial is that you face, you will never see the world's ties removed from your life while you run from it. You must endure your trial if you want the world's ties removed.
Last, these men had to walk with God. It was their walk with God while in the fire that removed the ties of the world. When you continue to walk with God in the fiery trials, you will find the world's ropes that bind you will fall off. You will find more freedom walking with God in the fire than you ever will outside the fire.
Christian, with what has the world bound you? Until you take these four steps, you will never see these ties removed. Yet, once they are removed, you will find a freedom that the world will never know. Don't run from these four steps, but embrace them as your steps to a life of freedom in Christ Jesus.