A Well-balanced Secular And Spiritual Life

ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES

Text: Daniel 6:1-11 IBCSS April 23, 2006

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

In this present life, balancing one’s secular and spiritual activities gets tougher and tougher everyday especially on the part of people whose hearts are being enticed by flesh-friendly lifestyle. A secular-dominated mindset will surely rob man’s opportunity to consider the eternal benefits of Spirit-controlled life.

Secular prosperity is not bad if it is found in its right place and in accordance to God’s will. However, it becomes treacherous the moment it overrides one’s spiritual inclination. Fear of God plays a great role in attaining a well-balanced secular and spiritual life.

Daniel’s life was a classic example of a well-balanced success. The untainted testimony he displayed throughout his life was an inspiring testimony and it could serve as a challenge to all believers of today. It could also stop the mouths of those professing believers who bluntly justify their questionable activities because they think that compromising with the world is an accepted game for everyone who struggles for survival.

It’s so sad that many believers who seem successful in their secular life have little or no special interest in Christian service. Their lives are well-focused on earthly things, and they neglect to set great spiritual goals because they take Christian life as a thing with lesser value. Christians should set God-glorifying goals so they could demonstrate to the whole world the power of God.

Daniel gained the loving-favor of God because he purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with questionable things associated with worldliness. His desire was to prove what is right and excellent before God. As a tremendous result, Daniel’s well-balanced success was exhibited throughout his life. In Daniel 1:20-21, it is written, And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. (KJV) Studying the life of Daniel surely offers us the secret of a well-balanced success.

(I) High-level Secular Performance

Daniel 6:1-5

-The king’s choice

In Daniel 6:1-3, it is written, It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (KJV) Obviously, Daniel was the king’s choice. No doubt, God lifted him up to a high-level position because he was not only sharp in secular matters but above all, he trusted the Lord in all his tasks. Palaces of super powers are in great need of Daniel-like people today. Isn’t it great if Christians would be the choice of kings because they believe that they are the right people to meet the contemporary needs of others?

-Highly competitive

Daniel was a highly competitive man. He was not the kind of man who was easily intimidated by the presence of intelligent and powerful men. Daniel was aware of the presence of God in his life and he knew that God was the source of wisdom he needed during critical times. Daniel knew he got that well-desired advantage because God was working in him marvelously. Christians must be aware that they have that kind of plus in their secular life and that they should not be intimidated by the presence and threatening of the influential people of the world. Keep in mind that believers have the capacity to stand head and shoulders above others in the secular sphere of life.

-Unquestionable performance

In Daniel 6:4-5, it is written, Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (KJV) What a show of secular superiority by Daniel before fault-finders. Christian superiority becomes noticeable the very moment believers submit themselves to the will of God and let the Holy Spirit work in their lives. Bear in mind that the God of Daniel is also our God who has the power to lift up and the power to cast down. May God find us faithful and humble in all our ways so He may lift us up like what He did to Daniel.

(II) Undeniable And Inspiring Spiritual Life

Daniel 6:5-28

-Noticeable godliness

Daniel was a man of integrity and behind his noticeable godliness was his consistent association with the Living God. The presidents and princes found no fault in him. On the other hand, Daniel was marked by his enemies as obedient servant of God. In verse 16, it is written, Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. (KJV) Daniel’s spiritual identity was undeniable and unquestionable. What a shame on professing believers if their accusers find no clear evidence that they are truly Christians. Shine for Christ and never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

-Unmovable conviction

When we speak of godly conviction, we can’t afford to forget what Daniel did for the truth. He was a man of unmovable and godly conviction. He always stood to what is right and pleasing to God. Christians, be watchful! Live a godly conviction and be blessed. Watch your preference! Be sure it’s not the devil’s suggestion.

In Romans 12:1-2, it is written, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) Prove what is right and surely you’ll be approved of God.

-Consistent prayer life

A man who does not pray will never gain the loving-favor of God, neither will he attain spiritual success. The believer’s prayer life contributes a significant part to his spiritual success. In Daniel 6:10-11, it is written, Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. (KJV) Behind true success is a prayerful life. One more important thing we must realize is that prayerful men are not fearful men.

-Inspiring faith in God

Daniel’s life was a well-spent life. Through the Scriptures, we could see that his godly goals in life were triggered by his strong faith in the Living God. Truly, his faith was great and inspiring to others.

In Daniel 6:23, it is written, Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. (KJV) This verse reminds us what faith could do during trying moments.

Daniel’s well-balanced secular and spiritual life led him to a well-balanced success. In Daniel 6:28, it is written, So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (KJV) Consistent fear of God produces consistent wisdom, and consistent faith offers consistent victories.

As we look forward to seeing more significant victories in the future, may the essential things we have learned from the life of Daniel be applied consistently in our daily lives. A well-balanced secular and spiritual life could be attained for the glory of God if we put the Lord Jesus Christ first in all our steps in life.

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