Authentic Kingdom Culture: Power!Sampel

Conclusion

The Daniel approach to power seems revolutionary in our modern Christian culture. The common sentiment today seems to be that holy-wars are evil unless waged in the name of Jesus. We are quite happy to legislate our way of thinking on the rest of society and fight for our 'religious freedoms' no matter how they affect anybody else.

The stark difference between the fruit of this way of thinking and the Daniel-way is best demonstrated in King Darius' response to finding Daniel alive and well in the lion's den:

Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

“Peace and prosperity to you! "I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

This is the fruit of Daniel's way. Daniel turned a pagan king into an evangelist to the entire world by stewarding the power of God well. Even more remarkable is that Daniel did not even exact revenge on the officials who tried to kill him! Daniel's heart was dedicated to God. He understood the nature of his Heavenly King.

Daniel's refusal to use his power to fight for his rights, pursue a personal agenda, enforce his will on others or destroy his enemies allowed God to display His power and win the king's heart. When we have positions of authority, what will we do with the power? This power applies to spiritual power as well. As God pours out his power from on high over our lives, for what will we use it? Will we use our anointing to dominate and control people to further our agenda? Will we use prophetic words, healing, and deliverance to build up others in the kingdom? These are serious questions. Our answers will be determined by what is in our hearts.

May our desires be only to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us, oh Lord, to use whatever power You grant us in this lifetime for Your glory.

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