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COMPROMISE (3)

Ways Christians Compromise

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In two previous lessons, we have looked at the subject of compromise.

1.      Compromise is a form of sacrifice and giving in.

2.      Usually, in a compromise, both parties agree to sacrifice in order to produce a positive outcome.

3.      Sometimes, however, only one sacrifices.  He becomes the sole loser.

 

B.      When it comes to Scripture, faith, and Christian living, there should be no compromises on the part of God’s people.

1.      The cause of Christ is too important.

2.      A person’s soul is too precious.

3.      An eternity spent in hell is too devastating.

 

C.     Most Christians would say:  “We should not compromise any of these things,” but we do sometimes.

 

D.    In this lesson, let’s look at some of the “Ways Christians Compromise.”

 

I.                   COMPROMISE THROUGH SILENCE

 

A.    Christianity is a religion that is supposed to have a voice.

1.      Jesus said:  “Go ye therefore and TEACH all nations…” (Matt. 28:19).

2.      Paul told Timothy:  “Preach the word” (II Tim. 4:2).

3.      Paul told Titus:  “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1).

4.      We must speak the truth in love, but notice that we MUST speak (Eph. 4:15).

 

B.      Speaking up, however, is not

1.      Always easy

2.      Always politically correct

3.      Popular

 

C.     Ezekiel 3:18

 

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

 

II.                THE COMPROMISE OF FELLOWSHIP

 

A.    Fellowship is defined as “joint participation, sharing, and communion.”  In involves two or more people being locked arm-in-arm with shared doctrines, values, and goals.

 

B.      In the long ago, a question was asked by the prophet Amos (Amos 3:3).

 

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 

1.      Some will answer this question in the affirmative. 

2.      Israel of old tried to be like this.  They wanted both Jehovah God and Baal.  Elijah confronted them with their compromise on Mt. Carmel (I Kings 18:21).

 

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions?  If the Lord be God, follow him:  but if Baal, then follow him.  And the people answered him not a word.

 

C.     II Corinthians 6:17-18

 

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

III.             COMPROMISE IN PRACTICING SIN

 

A.    Sin and the Christian should not go together.

1.      Romans 6:1-2

 

What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

 

2.      Romans 6:6

 

Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 

3.      Romans 6:12

 

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

 

B.      Even though this is true, we often compromise and practice sin.

1.      The sins can be different for different people.

2.      The justifications, however, are often the same.

a.      I am just weak.

b.      God understands.

c.       I am not hurting anyone.

d.      It’s not a big deal.

e.       Others have their faults.

f.        Nobody else knows.

g.      It brings me benefits:  fun, relaxation, acceptance, etc.

 

C.     Sin is the product of the evil one. 

The practice of sin puts in opposition to God and His Word.

Sin separates from God and will condemn the soul.

 

D.    I John 2:15-16 (emp. mine, vme)

 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

 

 

IV.             COMPROMISE OF MIXING TRUTH AND ERROR

 

A.    In the religious world, truth is an exclusive set of teachings that God has revealed to mankind contained in the book known as the Bible.

1.      Psalm 119:142

 

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth.

 

2.      John 17:17

 

Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth.

 

B.      Facts about truth:

1.      Truth is fixed, unchangeable.

2.      Truth is right, never wrong.

3.      Truth is enduring, not subject to destruction.

4.      Truth is absolute, not relative (whatever one wants it to be).

5.      Truth is harmonious, not contradictory.

6.      Truth is universal, applied equally to all.

7.      Truth is objective, not based on feelings or opinions.

 

C.     Many, however, try to compromise by mixing truth and error.

1.      They like some truths and live by them.  They despise other truths and reject them.

2.      These are some expressions used when truth is rejected:

a.      I know what the truth is, but…

b.      I know what the Bible says, but…

c.       I know what God says, but…

3.      Why are these positions taken?

a.      Truth is difficult to accept.

b.      Truth is in opposition to one’s opinions and perceptions.

c.       Truth condemns a person’s loved ones.

d.      Truth does not allow one to do as he pleases.

 

D.    Two verses:

1.      Proverbs 4:7

 

Wisdom is the principal things; therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

2.      Proverbs 23:23

 

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    It is easy to compromise when it comes to truth.

1.      Don’t speak up

2.      Do not worry about who we fellowship

3.      Do not concern yourself about sin

4.      Do not acknowledge and adhere to absolute truth

 

 

 

B.      It is difficult to refuse to compromise.

1.      We must speak up (Acts 5:20).

 

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

 

2.      We must refuse fellowship to some individuals (II Thess. 3:14).

 

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

 

3.      We must refuse the lusts of the flesh (I Pet. 2:11).

 

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

 

4.      We must acknowledge and practice the truth (II Tim. 1:13).

 

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.