Why I Signed the Manhattan Declaration

Daniel 3:16-18 (New International Version)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

My daily bible study was on Daniel 3 this morning. When I read these words it summed up for me the reason why I signed the Manhattan Declaration earlier this week. These three men resolved to not bow down or serve any other god other then their God even if that meant defying the King's command and facing his judgement of being thrown into a fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:28-29 (New International Version)

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."

The New Testament chapter I read today was Mark 15, which recalls the events of the day Jesus Christ was crucified dead and buried. This ties perfectly into the last sentence of Daniel 3 - "for no other god can save in this way."

No earthly idol or man made god can save us from our sin and certain eternal destruction. Only the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of the Universe, the Christ Jesus can save us in this way.

The idols of our day include:

Money - Sex - Material Possessions - Physical Appearances - Fame - Power - Drugs - Security - Status

People compromise or conform every day in order to hang onto these false gods that do not save! Even those who call themselves Christians.

Why?

If we really knew the Christ who truly saves, we would all resolve not to conform or compromise our loyalty to our Lord.

This includes conforming to the government policy of the day, if it is evil and contrary to God's Word. This is why I signed the Manhattan Declaration!

The God I serve is able to save us from this situation, but even if He doesn't, I want the Government to know I resolve not to serve their gods or bow down to any other god.