Compromise in the age of unbelief – the great falling away

-

Are we trying so hard to prove how “loving,” “open,” and “tolerant” we are, that we are compromising our values, just to be accepted by others?

-

Co- Author: Rev. Patrick Williams

http://www.breadandwineministries.com

-

-

Examine our motives for finding “common ground” with unbelievers.

Jesus only associated with sinners in order to bring salvation, and the truth of God’s Word to them. He never let them think it was OK to believe falsely. He never let them think it was okay to sin. He rebuked many men and woman for their sinful behavior. When we believers associate with sinners, shouldn’t we do this as well?

Or do we associate to let them know that their faith is no different then ours, even when their beliefs are not inline with the Word of God. Do we say there is nothing wrong with what they believe, even when they don’t believe Jesus is the way?

It is ok to be courteous and kind to unbelievers, showing love to all. It is for this reason Jesus was born – to die for, and save, those lost in sin. We are to love one another. But, the bible also says not to associate with unbelievers, in ways that we can become influenced by their sinful ways, and thinking. Light has no place with darkness. Also, we are not to give a sinner a false sense of approval for their sinful ways, because this sends a confused message – that they are not in sin after all.

This requires discernment and good judgment, as to when too much association might lead to compromising one’s beliefs and behavior.

Association with wrong intent sends the wrong message. When we truly care about people, we will care about what happens to them (in eternity). Therefore we warn a person, in love, of their sinfulness, as well as the way God has provided for their escape.

-

-

The Great Commission

Jesus said, “For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

It is our responsibility to feed the Word of God to the unbelieving. God charges to us to offer a drink from the well of Living Waters to those who are thirsty for Him. We seek out the lost, endangered by hostile forces, and provide them the spiritual shelter of God’s divine protection.

God commands us to offer His Word to those spiritually naked, so they may be clothed in righteousness. Sin makes them naked, without excuse, before God, but the Word can now cover him.

Sinners are sick in sin, but we visit them, with the remedy for life everlasting. His name is Jesus. We offer the Word of God to those imprisoned within themselves – that they may be set free.

If you are ashamed of these words of Jesus, then you need to examine why you feel this way.

These people are lost, and we must not send messages of approval for their sin.

Are you trying to reassure them that their faith is true, and you are finding yourself compromising? Compromise is an admission of error in your belief system.

-

-

Uniting in a godly way against ungodliness

It is appropriate to ban together, as believers in the living God, to come against activities that rebel against, and oppose God’s good will for all mankind, endanger ourselves, our children, and our society. We are to resist evil, not submit to it.

Homosexuality, for example, is being forced on everyone, because the act itself threatens the values of God. God’s word clearly tells us, “man shall not lay with man, as with woman.” God also forbids the endangerment and exploitation of children.

Forcing anyone to reject the Word, and embrace ungodliness, is what the devil is attempting to do, through those in rebellion, and/or darkness.

The Roman Empire collapsed because of this “lifestyle.” This will happen again to our society, if we allow it to go unaddressed.

If we also continue to allow a small group of people to thumb their nose at God, and say “we can do what we want,” and “we are going to change the laws, and make you obey it, despite what you say,” submitting to this will bring the entire nation to it knees. The same truth applies to abortion and those who support it.

It is not an act of condemnation to stand up for godly values. The other alternative is to let evil take over, and then suffer for it.

If we allow evil, like homosexuality or abortion, then we will be held responsible for that evil, as much as those who do the evil. Gays and abortionists have no trouble condemning Christians, by the way. But, to them, a Christian had better not say you’re wrong for what you’re doing; God’s word says you’re wrong. They will come after us for disagreeing with them. Presenting the biblical position is not hate. It is love and truth.

We may love the person, but we do not have to love the evil behavior, and give it a place of honor in society.

-

-

It is NOT discrimination

Many people have confused proper judgment of circumstances with some sort of discrimination. It is not discrimination, because it is not aimed at any race of people. Homosexuals, abortionists, and other sinners come in all races, sizes, and shapes.

Therefore believers ARE allowed to judge, if the judgment is righteous in character. We are NOT allowed to judge, if we are guilty of the same thing (hypocrisy, unrighteous judgment). People need to put scripture in proper context. The current laws defy God on this issue.

While discrimination may have been true back in the 1960s, I do not see this as racism in the modern church (2009). I have seen people mix well for decades now. This is a different generation, and equality, for the most part, is very accepted. We grew up with it. There are some, however, that want to keep the tensions alive for political reasons.

-

-

Showing “tolerance” or defending the views of unbelievers

Why would we defend the beliefs of a non-Christian? Is this our way of saying our beliefs as a Christian are wrong? Are we so insecure, that we have to prove we are “fair” or “tolerant,” by acknowledging error as truth, so that others will accept us? Either Christianity is true, or it isn’t.

Martin Luther King did not compromise his walk with God, but remained true. By doing so, those that heard his message knew he would not give in, nor side with those who wanted to bring change in another manner. He died for what he believed in.

That is something to think about. He would never tell a Muslim it is ok to be Muslim, or a gay that it is ok to be gay, or that it is ok to have an abortion, so people would like him. He would tell them lovingly that they were sinners, and needed Jesus, and his salvation. If they hated him for this, he would love them back, but he would not give in to them.

-

The deceptive ideology of always finding “Common Ground.”

There are those that want to find common ground for every group, and unite them in some way with Christianity.

Sometimes, it is possible to do this. Sometimes, there is NO common ground, and good judgment has to be used.

If one tries to accommodate those with NO desire to repent, NO desire to know God, and NO desire to be fair, wanting everything their own way, then “finding common ground” just becomes surrender to the ideology of the other group, and it is then worse than compromise.

In this case, the only one making accommodations will be the Christian. It becomes a “you give, they take” situation. There is no glory to God in doing this. You still have a lost soul, and you have failed the Great Commission.

-

-

See also:

Holiness unto the Lord. Let us return! Click here for more

Are you in, Permeated, and One with God? Click here for more

Are you a goat, and don’t know it? Click here for more