“No Matter What!”

 “No Matter What!”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

               The sentiment above was expressed by the three Hebrews when they faced Nebuchadnezzar and declared that, regardless of what he did to them, they would not bow down to the image he had made (Dan. 3:17-18). In essence, they said, “No matter what you do to us, we will not forsake the God of Heaven and bow down to your idol.”

            Some years later, an aged Daniel expressed the same sentiment when he prayed to the God of Heaven even after he knew a law had been drafted which outlawed prayer to God (Dan. 6:9-10). He knew the consequence for praying to God was being cast into the lion’s den (Dan. 6:7), but he prayed anyway. His action this day said, “No matter what the law is, I will be faithful to God.”

            The apostles showed this same resolve when they stood before the Sanhedrin telling them, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Regardless of the threats made against them (Acts 4:17-18); regardless of the imprisonment (Acts 4:3, 5:18); the apostles declared through word and deed in those early days that “No matter what, we will obey God and will spread the gospel message.” “We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

            In like manner, let us as Christians, those who have believed on Christ, repented of our sins, and been baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38), remember that we have responsibilities and duties which we must accept and obey, “No matter what!”

            In the first century, Christians did not have the freedoms we possess, yet they remained faithful to God (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10). Today, it is also true that there are Christians who do not have the freedoms we possess, and they remain faithful to God. Therefore, it is necessary that we, God’s children in America, remain faithful to Him when, in addition to being Christians, we also have freedoms provided for us in the Constitution of this nation.

            Let us resolve that regardless of what men might do (or not do), we will be faithful to the God of Heaven as His children. “No matter what,” we must follow the Lord’s will because those of us who are Christians have a citizenship that is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20). We submit to the King of kings “no matter what” others may do.