J.A.M.

The Dictionary defines the word ‘Compromise’ as an agreement to make concessions on both sides of a difference or argument. Compromise is not always a bad thing. It’s about give and take. For instance in a relationship situation it is often necessary for both people involved in the relationship to see things from the other persons point of view and sometimes to step back and allow what you have been resisting against to take place. An example, for instance, would be to give up a Saturday morning which you wanted to spend doing nothing and instead go along with your partner to visit their parents which you may not always enjoy doing. Giving and taking and compromising in such instances is important for the healthy growth of the relationship. However, when compromising would mean the situation will go against your moral beliefs or what you believe to be ‘right’ it can present a problem. We need to always be true to ourselves and not engage in what could have a negative influence on the relationship.

With this as the background I would however like to look at another kind of compromise which is the worst kind – particularly for a person of faith – and here I would specifically like to speak about Christian Compromise. Years ago I was well known in my friendship circle for being a ‘No Compromise’ type of person. It was difficult to live up to and perhaps at times I came across with a bit too much zeal as is so often the case with someone ‘new in the Faith’. There is such a fine line between ‘pointing the way’ and outright judging of another (which we should never do). About six years ago now I went through a very rough patch in my own personal life which saw me compromising in the very way I used to speak against and I ended up feeling false and heaped a great deal of judgement on myself much of which needed to be dealt with in counseling. God has been gracious and gentle with me though and I believe the ‘fall’ was meant to happen as I have grown a great deal, albeit slowly, as a result of it. I struggle with compromise in different areas but I have learnt that the struggle is the very thing that keeps me close to God and is perhaps my proverbial ‘thorn in the side’ which Paul speaks of in Scripture. It’s a strange thing to realize that things that once had such a hold seem to fade away over time when a relationship with God is cultivated daily.

Yesterday I read a Devotion which challenged me greatly. The man who wrote it said the following :

“You know, I had a feeling that if we just read the Bible and didn’t know anybody, we’d have a pretty clear view of what God wants. Then someone we care about comes along and it kind of gets us confused about what the Bible says.” And I told him, “I think the problems start when a verse gets a face.” That’s true in a lot of areas. Today in Christian circles, we’re accepting of so much more stuff – stuff that we wouldn’t have touched like say ten years ago. Our sociology often decides more than our theology decides. Our culture decides more than our Christianity. We can only enjoy the full blessing of God if we insist on the high standards of God. And I’ve got to tell you, it’s tempting not to when there’s a face – especially somebody you care about – in front of the verse. But it isn’t really love to lower the standards of God to make some temporary situation more comfortable. Those standards are not there to destroy people; they are the path to personal happiness. No matter how it looks, we must apply the Biblical guidelines with gentleness, not judgment; with love, not legalism. But we cannot dilute the Word of God for any person, for any situation.

This has really got me thinking of how we, who profess to be attempting to be followers of Christ, condone so much of what he taught against. The list is endless really. We know what God’s Word says on certain issues and yet we pick and choose the guidelines we feel comfortable with and then compromise with the others. For instance I’m sure that the majority of Christians would be totally against murder but some are OK perhaps with – let’s say – abortion, particularly if we know someone who has been unfortunate enough to find themselves in that situation. We may find it easy to be opposed to bigamy or incest or the sexual abuse of men, woman and children yet we are becoming more and more open in the ‘New Age’ to same sex relationships and Gay marriage. Sexual immorality is rife and while many will argue that it is more evident in the gay lifestyle, sexual activity outside of marriage is not in line with Scripture for ‘straight’ people as well – and is just as evident there. Divorce is widely accepted and seen a great deal amongst Christian people. ‘Christians’ are quite happy at times to place themselves in tempting situations where, for instance, alcohol may be freely flowing. They’re quite happy to partake in unsavory conversations in the work place or amongst their ungodly friends. These are all things which God has given clear directive on but because we may know someone who is in a situation such as this or perhaps we ourselves are caught up in it – we compromise and say that “God is a loving God” – and we seem to think He will overlook it. Now I’m not for a minute saying that people do not have struggles in their marriages or with their sexual identities as a result of a multitude of things that may have affected them in their lives. These things are not always a choice but how we choose to deal with them and how we live them out in our lives is a choice. To be totally honest I’m not really sure exactly what I am trying to say here other than it must really sadden the heart of God when He sees how His creation has gone their own way and continually compromise His Word, designing a personal Gospel for themselves which is comfortable to live with. The Gospel is not meant to be comfortable. It is there to guide and teach us and I believe to challenge us so that we can become the people He created us to be.

I know there are many people who do not have a relationship with God. There are many who are not interested in the Christian way of life and sadly many who do not even acknowledge the existence of a God at all. Perhaps you? For them, compromise is not an issue. They just live the way they live. We, as Christians, have the responsibility of being a light for people such as this. We need to demonstrate love and understanding in a non-judgmental way being aware that we also need to show truth and are not immune to falling. Compromising Christian values and the things Jesus taught and stood for does not show truth and is not a good witness to those who are seeking. Imagine someone who does not know Jesus personally. Someone who has not experienced His touch on their life and the freedom that that touch brings. What sort of witness will it be for them to hear you speaking about a godly lifestyle on one hand yet seeing and hearing different things from the life you lead and the things you condone? Surely this must be confusing for them? I believe that the ‘world’ is looking for answers and very often they look to the Church for the answers and get disillusioned – which is sad. The excuse is more often than not that “the Church is full of hypocrites”. Sadly, a lot of the time this is true. It is true that the Church is full of sinners. We are all sinners and need Gods grace on a daily basis, but I think at times the Church can come across as very judgmental for those who are earnestly searching for answers – almost as though they were expected to achieve a degree of perfection before God will accept them. Nothing can be further from the truth! God wants us to come to Him ‘warts and all’ as the saying goes, so that He can mould us into the people He designed us to be. It is the Christians of this world who need to demonstrate His love, acceptance and forgiveness to those wandering around in the dark searching for solutions. We all have a God shaped hole in our lives that can only be filled by Him. We as Christians know this but how do we demonstrate that to those who don’t?

It’s time for us to stop playing Church on a Sunday and living a lie the rest of the week and be the No Compromise type of people we are called to be – treating those around us who do not have a relationship with Him with the Love He has shown to us who most certainly do not deserve it! God’s Word is GOD’s Word! We cannot afford to pick and choose the pieces we are comfortable with and create our own Gospel. The Truth is the Truth and we need to share it and more importantly – we need to share it in Love. Is that not the way Jesus did it? After all we are called to be His followers. Are we?

“Break our hearts Lord with the things that break yours”

Psalm 101:2-8

I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas
and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride
I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

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