Christian Living

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No More Compromise

Lately God has been impressing upon my heart that today's Christians often walk in disobedience and compromise. Christians are too passive, so as to avoid ridicule and resentment. However as the body of Christ we ought to study and walk in the standards that God has set out in His Word. If we are going to see the fullness of God and make a difference in our communities, then it is urgent for us to hold God's word in high esteem and live it out daily.
When we speak of compromise, two schools of thought usually come to mind. According to the Oxford Dictionary one is, to settle a dispute by mutual concession
and the other is, expediently accepting standards that are lower than those that are desirable.
In the everyday relationships of mankind, compromise does have its place. Whether it is with a friend, spouse, relative or leaders, reaching a mutual understanding, in the light of our differences, resolves conflict and can indeed bring peace and happiness.
As Christians however, God has called us to walk holy and we ought not to lower His standards at any time. Compromising the Word of God hinders our spiritual growth. While asleep, the Holy Spirit revealed to me the true meaning of compromise for the Christian. When I COMPROMISE, I cut off myself from God's promises.
Compromise is a self-inflicting device that the enemy has always used on believers as we cut ourselves off from God's promises. We blindly put ourselves in the position where we can no longer claim God's promises and receive them. In this cut off state we are merely surviving on God's grace and mercy. Sin is sin, no matter what name it is given. When we lower God's standards, we sin against Him in disobedience. Hence we must bear the consequences of this sin. Because God is Holy, sin cuts us off from Him. He cannot tolerate sin. Only sincere repentance can rectify this state.
We must live our lives according to God's standards. When we obey God we have been given good grounds for expecting blessings. We can afford to take Him at His word because it is truth. An obedient life-style brings joy, peace and healing among other blessings. Our total commitment to Him makes Him pleased to richly bless us. All through the Bible we see how God blessed obedience.
God in His sovereignty knew that to leave man to debate and formulate our own standards for righteous living would bring totally chaos. Proverbs tells us that there is a way, which seems right to a man but the end thereof is destruction. He knew that because the hearts of man are desperately wicked, a guidance manual would have been essential for righteous living that's why we have His word.
From the foundations of the earth God in His infinite wisdom spoke His Word to whom He chose, it was documented and has never been altered. What God has said in His Word is unchangeable. It never changes with generations as fads and fashions do. It was signed sealed and delivered by the authenticity of Almighty God. Though there are many translations the essence of the Word remains. Only an All-Powerful God could accomplish such. There must be divine power in it. Not in the tangible book which we hold but in the words. Therefore as believers we ought to embrace the teachings of the Bible because in them is life.
It is all right to discuss God's Word for our own learning and understanding, indeed this is important. As this is done, the Holy Spirit comes and sheds light on the scriptures making them clear to us. He comes and enlightens our understanding. However, the word of God must never be discussed in order to compromise God's Holy standards just to suit our own fancy.
Paul in Timothy 2:15 instructs us to study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth (KJV). The Jerusalem Bible puts it this way, do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a man who has come through trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life's work and has kept a straight course with the message of truth. This shows that God's holds every believer accountable for upholding His word.
While praying for His disciples in St. John17: 17, Jesus asked God to ' make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth (NLT). As we are taught the
statutes of God, He expects us to live by them. Let the Psalmist David's plea become ours, 'thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
In recording Jesus' message to the church at Laodicea, John records in Revelation 3: 15 -16, I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other. But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth. (NLT) This verse suggests that compromise was the practice of the day by this church and Jesus himself said that such persons become castaways.
Remember, to compromise the word of God is to cut oneself off from the promises of a holy God. He wants to bless us but we must walk in humble obedience before Him. We can't do so in our own strength but if we ask of Him, His righteousness will be manifested in our lives. When God looks down on us and sees obedience He is obligated to bless us because He is just.
God wants His children to enjoy abundant life. In order to inherit these bountiful blessings, we must repent of all compromise and be determined in our hearts never to lower God's standards to be men pleasers.

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