Compromise

We’ve probably all made compromises in life. It’s not always a bad thing. Compromise may be called for in business dealings or even in the home as husbands and wives make decisions on finances or what they allow the kids to do, or who does what chores. When an impasse takes place, to come to an agreement, an alternative solution is workable and even wise. Compromise can work in our physical world but never in our spiritual walks. Who tells us it’s okay to compromise concerning the things of God? Demonic forces are the ones who whisper such harmful lies.

Temptations to compromise God’s instructions will not build our faith; it waters it down, weakening it. Sadly, there are churches that compromise, accepting as today’s norm those things God calls sin. “We must show love,” the church exclaims, as it accepts sin with a smile and a welcome. This is harmful to those searching for something meaningful in life. When someone feels lost, wondering what brings joy and peace in life, searching for a reason to wake up each day, they don’t go to a church to find more of the same. They go hoping to find a solution to their quest for purpose. They don’t know it at the time, but they’re looking for Jesus. Only He can satisfy. Only He can give lasting joy and peace in any of life’s storms. Only Jesus and obedience to His leading brings blessings.

Too often Christians today want the blessing without the obedience. They want the joy without the commitment. They want peace in their personal worlds without the hard work of daily focus on the things of God. This is not how any soldier is made strong or rewarded. The Apostle Paul wrote, Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them (II Timothy 2:4 NLT). It is the same in our spiritual world. We cannot get tied up in sinful pursuits, for then we will not please Jesus who saved us for better things. We will never see the beautiful views from the mountain top if we are consumed with what lies in the valley.

Look up everyday! It’s a daily choice. Paul also wrote, Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2 NLT). We have free will to make our choices. In the book of Joshua 24:15 we read, Choose today whom you will serve (NLT). It is a personal choice that will lead either to a strengthened faith or a weakened confidence that dwindles away, leading us into feelings of despair and despondency.

Joy in the storm that comes from the blessings of obedience, or struggling in waves of discontent. The choice is a daily one to make. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to change the way we think by revealing God’s wonderful truths found in the love letter of God’s Word. We are free to choose Jesus and His very best for us, or we can choose our own way. Choose each day whom you will serve.