Compromise

By Amy Pavlovik

I once lived on the coast of Poland, in view of the Baltic Sea. Not too far away, the coast took the form of a cliff over the water’s edge. On this rise of land a church had been built, many years ago. It stood like a beacon overlooking the cold blue-grey sea. Yet as the years went by, something was happening. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the sea was wearing away the land on which the church stood. Closer it came, with each wave lapping away a little more, cutting out a cliff, until finally the church gave way. Today it is a deserted ruin, partly tumbled into the sea.

Like the sea slowly eating away the cliff, compromise is an often gradual process that bit by bit can destroy our faith. Compromise means letting down on one or more of your principles or beliefs, to better adapt yourself to the principles or beliefs of someone else. Churches, groups, and individuals who have decided to leave off or silence some aspects of truth to ingratiate themselves with others, have thus entered a path to ruin. One compromise usually leads to another, further weakening the faith.  What begins as compromise, to the concern of many faithful believers, is after many years seen as having no harm in it.

            Compromise, no matter how long-standing it may have been, must be rejected. This is a fundamental principle of true separation from the world. The command to “be ye separate” means to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” Ephesians 5:11.

Can it be painful to see how the results of ancient compromise run down even to our own day? Yes, it can. Remember that it is in God’s mercy and love that He points out to us the truth, so we don’t need to continue in compromise any longer. Remember also that God has many precious children who are living up to all of the light that they know, and they are found in many different church groups.

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16.