Welcome Welcome again to another great time in His presence. Am happy to share another message with you. A few days ago, I introduced this subject of COMPROMISE. Two areas of Compromise were identified. Compromise in our relationship with God and Compromise in our relationship with one another. The reason why I chose to focus on these 2 areas of Compromise is summed up in the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
From this scripture, we see that the First thing God wants us to work on is our relationship with him and the second thing is our relationship with one another. We looked at compromise in our relationship with God so today we will be looking at the second part, which is Compromise in relationships with one another.
1.) Relationship with other believers and Christian Duties.
In this area, I will be looking at a situation where a believer knows what is wrong in a given situation but fails to correct the wrong deed because of what he/she will benefit from the person. Many of us Christians fall into this trap especially because we desire the things of the flesh. Well in most situations, its not really like we desire the things of the flesh but we often find ourselves in the midst of a situation where compromising is the only way out. So instead of pointing out to somebody that cowardice is sin, we will rather close our eyes to it because we want to benefit from the immoral friend who buys us nice things all the time. Or probably because the act of such a friend may give us food for the day. Its not easy to stand out when that is what everyone does and gets away with it. But I just wish to encourage you my dear friend, the reason why you see this as the only way out is because you have made Jesus just an OPTION and not the SOLUTION. Here are a few Scriptures to build up your confidence in the One whom you should rely on. When you make Jesus your main focus, it will be easy for you to rebuke the sin in another person because you know the right way to get what you want/need.
Psalms 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.”
John 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Now looking at Compromise in our Christian duties, there are thousands of Christians who by our very conduct give up on our obligations and give in to carnal thinking. This has been a huge burden on my mind especially when many Christians use the common quote “Salvation is Personal.” We all know about the Great commission in Matthew 28: 18-20 ” …All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you to; and low I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Even with knowledge of what we ought to do, we keep quiet and allow the evil prevail. It goes around to particular cases of “Christians” who have the “I know it all” mentality. These Christians often allow other things take the place of Christ and they cannot be corrected because they “know their Christian obligations” and this one thing or act will not take them to hell. For example, you do not go to church on Sunday because you are hosting a meeting or party in your house. Most of these people always give the response that if they don’t stay to do it who will do it? This implies that they don’t have passion for the house of the Lord and can easily allow anything take them off track. Please if you are reading this and you fall in this category, I will like you to remember the following scriptures and decide today where you belong.
Psalms 92:13 “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
Revelations 3:15-16 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Finally, under this category of compromise in Christian obligation, I will like to look at the aspect of a Christian discouraging a fellow Christian from giving church contributions or giving tithes with the claim that the pastor will eat the money. Then the baby Christians fall for it. I am guilty of one of these offenses. I remember some months ago when we were asked to contribute for payment of Church workers in hospitals and schools. I made a comment to my neighbor saying I will not give the contribution because I was pissed at the fact that every time we contribute yet they don’t get paid. My cousin who is one of the church workers in the Hospital had not been paid for 6 months but every time we are asked to contribute. So where does the money go to. I made a statement like all they know to do is to ride big cars. I made that statement based on my human feelings. But then the Holy Spirit rebuked me with the words of Mark 9:42 ” If anyone causes these little ones to sin, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Wow… that spoke many things to me at that instance and as soon as I got home, I immediately went on my knees and asked for forgiveness. Well the lesson I wish to bring out here is that let nothing stand in the way of your Christian obligation. As a Christian having the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, let the HolySpirit and the word of God be your guide. Don’t give in to external influence or human feelings. The highest warning I will like to give based on the scripture I just quoted above is that even if you don’t feel like giving for your own personal reasons, let it remain between you and God. Remember you will not give an account to man but to God. You may voice out your negative opinion and deter that baby Christian who really wants to grow and the word says it is better for you to be thrown into the sea than to cause someone else to fall.
There is so much to be said about Compromise especially in Male and Female Relationships. But permit me end here and continue the next part in the next session. So stay tuned to Arise Sister for Tuesday’s post.
I love you all.