I have learned that just because we say we are something doesn’t mean we are. Just because we might say we are Christian, doesn’t make us a Christian. I used to think the proof of my Christianity was my membership at my church. But reality sets in: Does my life support my talk? Do my actions back up what I say I believe? Could anyone else, by looking at my life, be able to know that I am a follower of Jesus? I read a quote in college on the dorm bulletin board that said, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?” Wow.

You see, our lives will prove what we truly believe. Sure we can go through motions. We can pretend to care and pretend to believe. But God does not want a production—He’s not asking for a Christian Talent Show. He doesn’t want us to show forced compassion; He wants us to truly love! He doesn’t want us to merely say that He is great; He wants us to actually trust Him. If it is not about going through the motions, then it is about living on purpose. It’s not about what you do, but why you do it.

My favorite example of such living is found in the the lives of three Old Testament Hebrew guys: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (They received new names in Babylon that may sound more familiar: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.) They found themselves in a very bad situation. King Nebuchadnezzar had built a huge statue of gold and made a decree that when certain music played everyone would bow down to the image. It wasn’t long until his wise men noticed that not everyone was bowing down—three to be exact, and only three. There were consequences to disobedience: death. This was not an optional event, it was commanded. So these three stood even though they knew the consequences.

Resolve

Some may suggest that this was not smart. Why bring all this attention to themselves? They could have easily faked bowing. You know, when the music played they could bend down and tie their shoes! No one would know the difference. They weren’t really bowing but only made it look like they were. I wonder how many in the crowd that day actually did this? I wonder how many of us would have done it as well?

They were immediately brought before the king. (Daniel 3:13–15.) Basically, Nebuchadnezzar gave them another chance. He liked these guys. They had proven themselves earlier. However, this was the last chance they’d get. If they turned it down, into the furnace they’d go. His offer: Bow and everything would be fine; if they didn’t, they would hurt. Simple enough. But the young men did not even wait for the music before they replied. There was no reason to play the music, because they wouldn’t bow to anyone other than God. They weren’t afraid of the furnace either, because their God could rescue them from it (verses 16, 17). Do you believe in God like that? Of course, it’d easy to believe God could rescue you from a furnace when you’re not near a furnace. But would you still have the same faith if you could feel the heat from it? That’s not all though. I love what they say next: “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:18).

This is what living on purpose is all about! It was not the motion, it was the reason. Their God was so great they wouldn’t bow to anything else, even if He didn’t save them. Those are not comfortable terms. We have the tendency to base our performance on His deliverance. Yes, our God can deliver us, but what if he doesn’t?

Nebuchadnezzar was impressed with their faith and let them go, right? Not quite. In fact, it says he was infuriated. He commanded his servants to heat the furnace seven times hotter! It became so hot that the soldiers who threw them in died from the heat and didn’t even go in themselves! Nebuchadnezzar tried hard to make an example of these men and their God, but ended up giving God a greater opportunity to reveal His power and grace! Nebuchadnezzar soon noticed more than three in the furnace—there were four! Who would have gone in there with them? And the new one looked different: like the son of God. Quickly he called them out and they didn’t even smell like smoke! Isn’t God amazing? This reinforces that God does, in fact, go through the greatest trials with us and He can, and often does, bring us through unharmed!

This is living on purpose. It isn’t a half-hearted conviction. It is not being one person at church and another outside. Otherwise, when trials hit we will not stand—and we will have our trials. We face choices every day. Not all trials will be a fiery furnace, but all can have an affect on our future.

We say we believe in God, but does our life show it? Are we just trying to look like Christians, or are we truly living for Christ? We cannot be fooled into believing that an outward presentation is enough. It’s all about what is inside, and what is in our heart is revealed in times of trial. It is the true you.

That’s why God wants us to be completely for Him or completely against Him—not this in between stuff. If you say you are God’s child, then live like it! Don’t pretend to follow Christ if you don’t really want to. It’s not mindless actions that He desires. But if you want to follow Christ, then go all in! Follow Him 100%. Do not be among those who have a “form of godliness, but deny its power.” Don’t pretend to be something you are not. Live for God… on purpose!