I went to church last night and the pastor there gave a very stirring message. The church I went to is Crossroads Christian Church over off of 360. If you live in the Metroplex and you ever have the chance to go hear this pastor speak, take advantage of it. He is so gifted and SO humbled by it all. That is something that seems to be missing these days. He spoke last night on Revival of the church and the message was intense. I got a lot out of it, but what has stayed with me is what he said on Compromising as Christians. We (and I say WE because I am SO guilty of it) that compromise are surely the enemies of revival.
One of the definitions that the dictionary gives to compromise is, "Something that somebody accepts because what they want is unattainable." That hits the nail on the head right there! That definition is what we are guilty of, but only because what we perceive is false. What we want, as Christians, is to live a life that is in line with what God wants. Our spirits know that this is the right way, but our minds seem to convince us that this lifestyle is completely unattainable. Therefore, we end up in compromise. I was in a meeting the other day and God's name was taken in vain several times. The first time I squirmed uncomfortably and wanted to say something but I was fearful that I was "offend" the person. The second time that it happened and spoke up and asked for that word not be spoken in front of me because it offended me. While this didn't go over as well as I had wanted, I didn't care...at that point I didn't care if the guilty party was offended. They were insulting MY GOD. I wish that I could speak up that way in all situations. Too often I blow it off because I don't want to hurt any one's feelings. By doing that, I am enabling enemies of God. I am compromising.
As Christians we are polite, we are all too often soft spoken and we usually end up taking the back seat in life just that we won't draw attention to ourselves or offend any one. After all, this country was founded on the freedom of individual rights...don't people have the right to do what they wish? YES, people have the right to do as they wish, but that doesn't mean that we have to stand for it. God has given us the ULTIMATE freedom. Freedom in Jesus Christ. That trumps it all. Speak up if our God is being attacked! If you see something that is not right, don't stand for it! Disassociate yourself from things of this world that are evil. We have to be radical, we have to live out loud. If you are in a situation or a relationship that continues to compromise what you stand for, GET OUT. Just because we are called to be the light in this world, does not mean that we have to be the mat people stomp on as well. Stand strong, be proud and take a chance on living for God. I am preaching to myself here too...I need as much work on this as any one I know. :)
One last thought that really stuck with me is this, "If you love Jesus but don't want to offend any one and if you hate sin but love your own personal sin, THAT is compromise." We can not live on both sides, we can not have it both ways. We can not love God and not live for Him.
Prayer on earth ignites action in Heaven, let us all pray that we will overcome the sin of compromise in our Walk with God.
Have a great day!
Pixie
