By Pastor Michael Brigmond

Today is a time of extreme pressure upon the church. Things are crowding in, trying to make us lose our identity.

Our identity proves to others who we are. It tells God, the world, and Satan, whose side we are on. We are identified by others in many ways. They label us by the way to dress, the way we talk, the very lives we live. We must never confuse the issue by hiding our true identity. The fact is, if we portray ourselves falsely, we are false. The outward must match the inward.

When Daniel and his friends were confronted with provisions of the king’s meat, they refused to be defiled. They knew what was right for them to eat and the king’s provisions were not right.

Daniel stood firm on his convictions and beliefs, even in captivity. Likewise, we must hold to the Truth as the Apostles taught it. We do not have the luxury of yielding to the pressures of popularity and pride.

There was a time when the Methodists were known for their holiness way of life. Not too many years ago, Church of God members were easily distinguished by their modesty of dress and Baptists could be picked out of a crowd because of the way they presented themselves to the world. Never would you find the smell of tobacco on one of them.

The next time you visit a shopping mall, look around and see how many Methodists, Church of God members or Baptists you can pick out in the crowd. Today, they all look the same. But a true Apostolic is still identifiable. You can spot one anywhere. We must never loose our identity.

To some, the Apostolic/Pentecostal experience has become somewhat like a supermarket. You can get any brand you like. With or without Jesus Name Baptism,...with Holiness, Holiness light, or Holiness free. If something was ever a sin, it is STILL a sin. The Word of God has not changed and never will.

However, the TRUTH is this: You cannot partake of the king's meat and keep your Identity as a child of God. Separation from the world still makes you look and behave better than all the rest. Daniel 1:20 shows the effect of separation.

Because they maintained their identity, they were PREPARED for the fiery furnace. They were READY for the lion's den. One who has surrendered to God, will never surrender to his enemies.

We could eat the king's meat, and let a spirit of rebellion and compromise creep in, but if we want to be found ready when Jesus comes, we must refuse to be defiled.

In the midst of adversity, trials, and attacks from a compromising world, we must stand firm with truth and mind the same things. We must preach the same message, Acts 2:38, Holiness and End Time Preparation.

To do the first two and leave the last undone is to do the saints a great disservice. We have been instructed in the Bible many times, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.." Let’s not fail them now. [][][][]