Most in our society today
have the erroneous belief that we Christians must
compromise with the world and
its beliefs and “just get along.” Certainly we are not advocating an unloving
and uncaring attitude, but that isn’t what Scripture teaches. Compromise is not
always good, and in the case of Scriptural truth it is definitely not good.
When the Holy Word of God
says that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father it cannot be compromised.
When it says Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died, and rose
again it cannot be compromised. When it says that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, in fact God, it cannot be compromised.
Major truths of the Bible,
such as those in the previous paragraph, and others, cannot be compromised, and
what God calls sin cannot be compromised.
Whether or not we sing from a
hymnal or a screen on the stage is a matter of preference. Whether we sing old
hymns, southern gospel, or contemporary music is irrelevant. Whether the pastor
wears jeans or a suit is not an issue, and whether he uses a pulpit or not,
doesn’t matter. These are like arguing over the color of the carpet. Who cares?
Compromise!
But when churches start
ordaining homosexuals we have a serious problem. Should we love these who have
chosen this type of sin? Absolutely, just as much as we would love those filled
with pride! Sin is sin. We most certainly should love the sinner and pray for
them, but we absolutely should not support the sin.
When churches turn a blind
eye to fornication and adultery it is wrong. It is not a time to compromise.
When parishioners lie, steal and cheat, the church must not keep silent … but
most of the time, it does.
Those of us who call
ourselves Christians should first and foremost recognize that we may be saved,
but we are saved sinners. We used to sin, and we still sin. That doesn’t mean
we just keep our mouth shut and accept blatant sin that is shoved in our faces
on a daily basis.
Some would have us believe
that we who are “conservative” Christians are just too belligerent. We are
trouble makers. We want to point out everyone’s sin but ours. Maybe that’s true
of some, but it isn’t true of all. What are we supposed to do, just sit back
and keep quiet? Keeping quiet is exactly why the church is in such a pitiful
state today. Apostasy in today’s church is like a cankerous sore that is eating
it alive from the inside out, and few are willing to use so much as a band-aide
to draw attention to this terminal disease. Those who do, get “called on the carpet”
for being unwilling to “get along.”
Jesus called us out to love
one another, and He also said,
“Think not that I am come to
send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to
set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Matthew 10:34-35
“The father shall be divided
against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the
daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her
daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Luke 12:53
Now He is not sending us out
to pick a fight with anyone who disagrees with us. He is simply saying that His
Truth is so controversial and adamant it will cause divisions. The problem
arises when so many who claim Him as Lord do not serve Him. They will not speak
His Truth. They just want to compromise. When a few do speak the Truth they are
labeled as trouble-makers. So be it.
Surely by now we can see what
compromising has gotten us, major problems within the churches. When corruption
is allowed to fester it will not heal, it will just continue to rot. This is
where many of our churches in America are today, full of rot. No wonder Jesus
will spew many out of His mouth. We stinketh!
The only thing that has even
a sliver of a chance in postponing judgment on our churches and our country,
for a short period, is repentance on our part. Otherwise, judgment is coming,
and in my opinion, it will be here much sooner that most of us think.
God has always warned those
He is about to judge, and we have warnings flying around like fireflies
(lightning bugs) on a dark night. Unfortunately, too many of us aren’t seeing
them. That isn’t God’s fault. They’re here. Look around. Get in the Word. Look
around some more. Just don’t take too long.
I realize the following verse
was written specifically to Israel, but it is still a promise we can depend on
if we take Him seriously and repent.
“If my people, which are called
by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Notice God isn’t addressing
this to those who are not His. He is addressing this to His people, in our
case, the Church.
Is judgment coming? Yes it
is, but maybe He will postpone it for a short time if we would just admit to
Him we have sinned and ask His forgiveness.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
