Compromise

Our pastor preached a message last Sunday on compromise.  He used Revelation Chapter 2.  I promise you I have thought of it constantly the past few days. I felt as though he were leading me by hand down the garden path.  No distractions, no detours, just a straight shot all the way.  It was perfect.  It was a story unfolding, a picture created by scripture and the words God had given Jay to share with us.  It was convicting and it motivated us to think..to evaluate..to consider that we might need to change.  At the end he asked us to close our eyes and think of all the ways we were compromising in our walk with Christ.  I have to tell you, we really needed more time because my list was long and time was relatively short.  He then asked us to remain in our seats if we had no areas of compromise and come forward if we did.  It was a different invitation..but different is good sometimes.  We can get stuck in routine. There should have been no one left in the pews. The altars should have been packed.  Self examination and honesty are  powerful tools for spiritual growth. That invitation could have ignited a revival.  If I'm being honest I have to admit to myself and you that I compromise all the time.  I'm not near what Christ created me to be.  My language compromises his will for me, my attitude, my commitment to study his word and my prayer time.  My choices for entertainment leave areas for improvement, my giving, my pride..I mean I could go on and on. 

 

 

The scripture Jay shared talked of us being an adulterous people.  Unfaithful to God, to Christ and our relationship with him.  We as the bride, being unfaithful to the covenant relationship we have entered into with him, the groom.  He created a picture of Jesus holding out his hand and asking for our hand in marriage.  We accept his proposal and yet we return to our friend the world and it's sinful ways, compromising what we know is right in God's eyes.  I've witnessed that this week.  Reading commentary from a pastor of a large church questioning the truth of God's word versus culture and changes in society and his perception of what the future holds for the modern church and how we will realize what the "heart of God is" as times are changing and surely what God said then was just a product of the times and that audience.

 

COMPROMISE

 

We can't even know if we are compromising if we don't know what his word says.

We can only trust those around us to indicate what they feel is right and wrong.

And that is a scary place to be.

Right and wrong is subjective in humans.

 

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 16:25

 

We must examine ourselves against the standard of Christ.

 

Sanctify  yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD  your God.

Lev. 20:7

 

Will we be the church of Pergamos?

 

Are there areas you may be compromising?

 

Is Christ saying "I have a few things against you." Rev. 2:14

 

If so, he has a solution.

 

Repent..Rev. 2:16

 

 

And I have been doing a lot of that for the past few days.................

 

What about you?