PHILIP DODDRIDGE – STANDING UP FOR GOD UNCOMPROMISINGLY

Life demands that we make adjustments and amends with it, so that we live our life goes smoothly. This is normal and natural. However, when it comes to the life of a Christian, we are called to live by the standards of the LORD God Almighty, our Creator and our Redeemer. There is no compromising of the standards of the Bible, nor any adjustments and amends that we life a smooth and uncomplicated life. The life of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are a fine example of *”STANDING UP FOR GOD UNCOMPROMISINGLY”* where compromise would have given them a smooth sailing.
– “I wish not merely to be called Christian, but also to be Christian.” – Ignatius of Antioch
– “16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18

The LORD Jesus calls all Christians to live an uncompromising life for the LORD our God and our Saviour. Be it in our personal life, among our family and friends, at the work place, and in all things that our LORD graciously entrusts us with in this life. This is the life to which a Christian is called to.
– “23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” – Luke 9:23-26

As Christians, the disciples of the LORD Jesus, this is the kind of commitment we are to display and demonstrate for the LORD whom we claim to follow.
– “15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” – Job 13:15
– “17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labour of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls – 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18

When we look into the pages of Church history, we find one Philip Doddridge, who authored the famed book “THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN THE SOUL” which was instrumental in leading William Wilberforce and others to the saving grace of the LORD Jesus Christ. Philip did not have a great life. He was plagued with poor health all his life. Once, Philip was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity for a free education at Cambridge, if only he would agree to be ordained as an Anglican. A very tempting offer for anyone. However, Philip Doddridge declined, and instead became a non-conformist, and authored over four hundred hymns, including the famous “O Happy Day.” 
– “…Doddridge declined because he felt he could not satisfy his conscience with the church’s prescribed forms and liturgy…He was wary of institutions that required rigid doctrinal subscriptions or conformity, preferring the freedom…” – Assorted from Multiple Sources

To be led by conscience as we live for God is no small thing. Such a stand is fraught with dangers. Lives of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego give us enough insights into such a calling. Philip Doddridge chose to live an uncompromisingly for his convictions is based on sound reasons and logic. Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton’s letter written on 26 October 1779 tells us why we should also learn to live such uncompromising lives for our LORD Jesus Christ.
– “The Lord is so rich that He easily can — so good that He certainly will — give His children more than He will ever take away.” – John Newton

How about us this morning dear brothers and sisters? Would we be willing to live an uncompromising life for the LORD Jesus who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light? – 1 Peter 2:9-10. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us to STAND UP FOR HIM UNCOMPROMISINGLY.