“WITHOUT COMPROMISE” (2)
Why We Compromise
Last week we began a study of a very important subject that is rendering great damage to the Lord’s church in many ways. It is the subject of compromise.
In our introductory lesson we defined what compromise is and noted what makes compromise a sin. Compromise actually has several definitions including: 1) a concession reached by both sides, with our without arbitration, 2) surrendering to that which is wrong [to compromise one’s faith or convictions] and 3) to settle for less than one’s convictions.
In matters secular compromise can be good and needed. And at times, even in religious matters there is a place for tolerance of those whose hold different beliefs in matters of liberty. In some of these cases, we might have to “surrender” personal rights for the sake of peace and edification of the body. This could fit in the broad definition of compromise, and as such some in the name of compromise are unwilling to yield when they ought to. At a later time we will deal with our personal liberties, but for the sake of this study, unless stated otherwise, my references to compromise deal with one who is willing to surrender matters of faith for the sake of peace and harmony. And this is always a sin.
In our lesson today we want to begin a study of WHY people compromise. To do this, we are going to examine some examples of compromise found in God’s word and make applications based upon these examples.
A. For reasons of material gain
1. Last week we mentioned the sin of selfishness usually being involved in compromise. Some are willing to compromise if it means they will get something out of it.
2. There are many churches that are weak and unwilling to take a stand against some false doctrine or immoral person because of the monetary resources they provide. They compromise the truth for a better building, larger numbers, social status, etc. Such churches put more trust in the material aspects of life than their service to God.
3. But the sad thing is they sell their soul for some material gain.
4. Continually in the scriptures we are warned against trusting in material riches –
a. 1 Timothy 6:17 – don’t trust in uncertain riches
b. Matthew 6:19-21 – where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.
c. 1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world…
d. The church in Laodicea was physically prosperous, but spiritually poor – Revelation 3:16-17.
B. Family Ties
1. How truly sad it is that so many are willing to compromise their faith because of some circumstance within their family or close friends.
2. While there is great division about the subject of M-D-R, the truth is that many “restudy” the issue and change their convictions in favor of the condition that applies to their loved ones or friends. All of a sudden, Matthew 19 isn’t as clear as it was before the problem presented itself.
3. Among those within denominations, many upon learning the truth choose to continue to follow a path they now KNOW is wrong (contrary to God’s word) because it would condemn someone in their family or a close friend.
4. Also, parents might compromise their convictions to allow their children to do that which they know they should not do (or find questionable). When parents refuses to discipline their children they are compromising God’s word for the sake of their children’s momentary happiness.
5. Jesus taught very clearly that He must come first in our lives and more than once He mentioned family ties.
a. Matthew 10:34-38 – He who loves father or mother more than Me…
b. Luke 14:26-27 – Whoever does not “hate” his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, etc.
C. Fear
1. There are many who would rather compromise than face the consequences of standing for the truth. Their stand for the truth might result in unpleasant results, so they say nothing or go along with that which they know is wrong or they doubt.
2. An example of this might be a teenager who participates in school functions where they know they should not be (or at the least there is doubt) but for fear of losing their popularity or friends they go along.
3. Another example might be a church member who is afraid to go to a brother in error because of the reaction that might occur. Sometimes this reaction is warranted based on past attitudes of the one in error and if that is true, than the one being confronted has a great a problem. BUT that does NOT excuse one from doing that which he is expected to do!
4. We can never let fear keep us from standing up for the truth.
a. Luke 12:4-5 – Fear Him who has power to cast into hell.
b. Revelation 21:8 says that the cowardly will have their part in the lake which burns with fire…
c. Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
D. A desire to Avoid Confrontation
1. Far too many churches have moved in the direction of compromise for the sake of unity. This is referred to as Unity in diversity. These are the churches that want “soft” preaching that avoid certain subjects or soften their stands on immorality and worldliness.
2. And there are many Christians who would rather settle for “a little compromise” rather than “rock the boat” and stir things up.
They don’t want to be branded as “troublemakers” so they accept things the way they are.
Sometimes the “troublemaker” is the one that is right.a. Jesus was a trouble maker as He cast out the money changers, defied the Jewish leaders on numerous Sabbaths and called into question their hypocritical attitudes and their circumventing God’s law
Luke 5:23 – He was accused before Pilate of stirring up the peopleb. Paul was a “troublemaker” – Acts 17:6-7
c. Elijah was called a, “troubler of Israel” by Ahab – 1 Kings 18:17
3. Sometimes a desire to avoid confrontation is good. We’ve all heard the expression, “Can’t we all get along?” It is certainly a noble desire, and especially so among brethren, but not at the cost of compromise!
4. The very essence of Christianity involves getting along with each other and striving to avoid conflict. Multiple passages that call for unity, peace and bearing with one another demand that we strive to get along. Scriptures that call for us to be humble and consider our brother in our conduct tell us we need harmony. We are told that the world will know we belong to Jesus by our love for one another - John 13:34-35. BUT, peace CANNOT be achieved by sacrificing TRUTH!
5. Consider these passages:
a. Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
b. 2 John 10-11 – one who greets one who is wrong (leaves the impression that he is in agreement) shares in his evil deeds.
E. A Lack of Faith
1. There are some whose weak faith causes them to put more trust in physical things than God and His word. They may take a job that causes them to compromise their convictions and the time they spend serving and worshipping God. They may lie about something because they do not trust that God will provide that which they NEED.
2. Abraham encouraged Sarah his wife to deceive both Pharaoh (Genesis 12:10-20) and Abimelech (Genesis 20). And it caused problems.
3. Often churches, because of a lack of faith, turn to human innovations to draw the masses in. God’s way of reaching the lost or caring for the needy isn’t sufficient, so they come up with their own ways.
4. To be pleasing to God we HAVE to have faith.
a. Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
b. James 1:5-6 warns that our prayers must be offered in faith.
c. Hebrews 3:12 – Beware, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief…
These are 5 reasons why people compromise. Perhaps there are others that could be added to this list. It is my hope that in this lesson we can see the dangers of compromise and how it is something we need to continually be looking for.
I want to close this lesson with a quote from J.W. McGarvey. He was recognized as one of the great outstanding scholars in the late 1800’s. He was in the prime of his preaching when the church divided over the use of instrumental music. While he personally opposed the use of instruments in music in worship he tried to combat it with tolerance. Later in his life, while speaking to young preachers he gave this advice,
“"You are on the right road, and whatever you do, don't let anyone persuade you that you can successfully combat error by fellowshipping it and going along with it. I have tried. I believed at the start that was the only way to do it. I've never held membership in a congregation that used instrumental music. I have, however, accepted invitations to preach without distinctions between churches that used it and churches that didn't. I've gone along with their papers and magazines and things of that sort. During all these years I have taught the truth as the New Testament teaches it to every young preacher who passed through the College of the Bible. Yet, I do not know of more than six of them who are preaching the truth today. It won't work."
Brethren, in this quote we can see the dangers of compromise. And it doesn’t matter the reason why. We may even have the noblest of intentions and a good heart, but the fact is that when we compromise while trying to teach the truth, “IT WON’T WORK!” Let us never be carried away by such.
In our next lesson, we are going to notice some Biblical examples of compromise and make application to these areas that me mentioned today.