Compromise

Compromise is a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions. It might or might not require a mutual agreement or understanding.

In life, we compromise. Often when we find ourselves in a confrontation, the best way to retreat is to compromise. Football fans compromise their sleep by staying up late, to the extent of compromising their health and productivity in the following day. Businessmen compromise their integrity by adopting dirty tactics such as collusion and black market activity to maximize their profits. It can be quite frustrating when the surrounding environment has such an influence on us that we give in to compromise, even though it might not be our heart desire. We compromise often to our own convenience and benefit.

Everything aside, one thing that Christian must never compromise is one's relationship with God. In fact, God is not affected by our compromise. We are the one who receive all the outcomes. God is not affected when we love Him less. God is not affected when we lose faith in our prayer. God is not affected when we indulge in our sins. Perhaps we might think that God is upset with us, therefore, there is an emotional impact. The truth is that God is not limited. God is still able even when 50% of the Christians on this earth are wiped off. God still moves! God is not confined. We will always be the losing side if we compromise our relationship with God.

So, what are the areas that we need to watch out for?

1. We must not compromise Sin.

For God is holy, therefore sin is intolerable. Romans 12:1-21 talks about presenting ourselves as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Do not compromise with sin or temptation. When we give in to temptation, sin welcomes us. The truth is that, either we face God and turn away from Sin, or we face Sin and we turn away from God. God and Sin cannot co-exist. Jesus took on the Cross, reconciled and brought sin to powerless. Sin shall not reign in a believer's life.

2. We must not compromise our Faith.

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. If we compromise our faith, we will not receive what we are hoping for. The greatest enemy of faith is doubt. Doubt confuses us and leads us to question God's ability and timing. When we lose our faith, we will lose all the promises of God.

3. We must not compromise the Truth.

The Word of God is our way and key to life. Knowing that it is infallible, we must not allow our enemy to destroy the Word of God. There are horrendous false prophets and teachers prowling for their victims and their number will increase as one of the signs of the end of world. Are we able to defend and uphold the Truth no matter what? For when we let go the Truth, we are alienated from God. Therefore, immerse ourselves richly and deeply in the knowledge and understanding towards God's word so that we will not be easily shaken in time of trials.

4. We must not compromise our First Love.

God must be our First Love, not our parents or our partner. "For anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son and daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37. Is God the priority in our life? When we know God, we know love. The greatest love that can change and turn the whole world upside down is not the human ability to love, but the love that was made known on the Cross. The greatest definition of Love is therefore, 1 Corinthians 13.

5. We must not compromise our Body.

Our body is the temple of God and the Spirit lives in our body. 1 Corinthians 6:19. Do not give in to sexual desires. Do not commit adultery or pre-marital sex. God forbid it for a good purpose. More than that, couple who are not yet married should not live under one roof. If we do, we are pushing ourselves into temptation. When it gratifies, death it is.

The list of areas that we must not compromise is never exhaustive. But lets examine and learn from two Bible characters in the area of compromise.

1. The story of Esau.

In the ancient times, the birthright was a very important and sacred thing. It belonged to the first born and he would also receive a chief portion of the inheritance. More than mere physical assets, it was also a spiritual position of the people of God. For a pot of stew, poor hungry Esau sold his birthright and the blessings from his father went to Jacob. One fatal mistake is enough to kill. Never make a decision when we are in the lows. Recently there was this news in China where a teenager sold one of his kidneys in exchange for cash to purchase Ipad 2. It might not be the most WOW case, the question is not about 'what is next', but 'who will be the next?'

2. The story of Solomon.

King Solomon was one of the wisest men that had ever lived yet one of the greatest fools. He inherited everything from his father, King David and was greatly blessed by God. In his early years, despite his youth and inexperience, his complete obedience and faithfulness to God had ensured his success in the later years. However, as feeble as you and me, he fell and compromised God's truth and commandments. He led himself to his own failure. He trusted his own wealth and political power more than in God. Although he did not reject God entirely by continuing to worship God, he compromised the Truth by tolerating all sorts of paganism such as keeping a harem of 1,000 women and worshipping the idols. The book of Ecclesiastes clearly recorded Solomon's agony and reflection over his life, from the high end to the pitfall.

Think about that. Think about the areas in our life when compromise seems to be the only option, where is God's position? God can never be compromised.

Solomon's example clearly teaches us that compromising what God says is right and acceptable can bring a heavy costly price.

I am as weak, and I am still learning to grow closer and deeper in the One whom image I carry.