THIS WEEK, we explore what it means for the marketplace disciple to live in the world, but not be of the world,⁴³ drawing lessons from the life of Daniel. After Judah fell to the Babylonians, the brightest youths from Israel’s elite families were brought to Babylon. The teenaged Daniel was among them. He “resolved” not to consume the rich food and wine that was assigned by the king (v.8). Why? He “would not defile himself”, because the food did not meet the requirements of the Mosaic law, and the wine and food were probably dedicated to idols. Right from the start, Daniel was determined to keep himself unpolluted and unstained by sin and the idolatrous practices of Babylon.⁴⁴ Observe two remarkable things. First, Daniel’s choice to turn down the royal food and wine went completely against convention. It took tremendous courage and deep resolve. Second, Daniel acted in a respectful and considerate manner (vv.11-13), not driven by youthful bravado and foolish presumptuousness. As God’s people, we are called to be holy − set apart − and to keep ourselves “unstained from the world” (Jas 1:27b). To be distinctive and influence our world as the salt and light. But the sad reality is that many who profess to be Christians are indistinguishable from the world. We are just as anxious and insecure, ambitious and self-seeking, and driven by the same lusts and fears as other people. Remember, before and above any calling to a particular profession, place or people, Christian disciples are called to be distinct and set apart from the world, so that we can exert godly influence in it for God’s glory.

⁴³ See John 17:11-16. ⁴⁴ As John Walvoord comments: “The problem of whether Daniel and his companions should eat the food provided by the king was a supreme test of their fidelity to the law and probably served the practical purpose of separating Daniel and his three companions from the other captives who apparently could compromise in this matter. His decision also demonstrates Daniel’s understanding that God had brought Israel into captivity because of their failure to observe the law. Daniel’s handling of this problem sets the spiritual tone for the entire book.” (https://bible.org/seriespage/1-early-life-daniel-babylon)