THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 19, JUNE 10, 2001

COMPROMISE
"That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl. 1:9)

"Compromise" is an interesting word. Depending on the context in which it is being used it can be a good thing or a bad thing. Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary gives the following as one of its definitions of compromise. "A settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands." While the word itself does not appear in the scriptures, the idea behind this definition of compromise certainly does. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urged compromise under the right circumstances. In Matthew 5:25, He said, "Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, in order that your opponent may not deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison." By reaching a mutually satisfactory compromise with an opponent, or adversary, entering into the legal system could be avoided. In this sense, compromise is a good thing.

However, under certain other circumstances, compromise would not be a good thing. In fact, it can be evil. Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary also gives these definitions and sample usages. "An endangering, esp. of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.: a compromise of one's integrity" and "To make a dishonorable or shameful concession: He is too honorable to compromise with his principles".

In the letters to the churches found in Revelation 2 & 3, we find that compromise in the evil sense was a problem for brethren toward the end of the first century and it has not changed.
The church at Pergamos is addressed in Revelation 2, beginning in verse 12. Jesus began the letter by affirming His intimate knowledge of their situation. He said in v. 13, "I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is;…" Pergamos, having been bequeathed to the Romans in 133 B.C. by King Attalus, became the political capital of Asia and as such served as the center of Emperor worship. In this way the brethren in Pergamos were living "where Satan's throne is". They were living in the center of Emperor worship during the reign of Domitian. Refusal to worship the Emperor meant severe persecution, even death. For the most part, the brethren there had not denied the Lord, even when death entered the church in the city via persecution.

As the letter to the church in Pergamos continues, we find the Lord's complaint in verses 14 & 15. He said, "But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans."

In Numbers 22, 23, & 24, when the children of Israel came to the borders of Moab, Balak, the king of Moab, called for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. Balaam was unable to curse the Israelites, even though he tried three times, so he counseled Balak to send forth the daughters of Moab to entice the men of Israel to join them in their idolatrous, lascivious worship. His scheme succeeded and resulted in the death of 24,000 Israelites.

The "teaching of Balaam" is summed up in verse 14 in 3 things: (1) It taught Balak "to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel". Stumbling block comes from the word "skandalon", and it refers to the part of a trap on which the bait is placed. When it is touched, the trap springs and catches its victim. By his advice, Balaam set a trap for the children of Israel and many got caught by it and perished. Evidently, some in Pergamos were doing things that were enticing others in the church to seek to compromise their principles and it would result in their perishing.
(2) "To eat things sacrificed to idols". This was not just the eating of meats that Paul talked about in Rom. 14 and 1 Cor. 8. This was actual participation in the idolatrous feasts, compromising the truth to do so.
(3) "To commit acts of immorality". Immorality was part of idolatrous worship.

There were also those in Pergamos who held to the belief of the Nicolaitans. There is little known about the Nicolaitans except that they were a sect of Gnostics who advocated participation in the idolatrous feasts and worship because they did not believe such sinful activity mattered. What it all boils down to is that there were those in the congregation at Pergamos who wanted to be Christians and yet still take part in the immoral, idolatrous practices of the day. By so doing they could avoid persecution and separation from the main-stream society of their city. It was a doctrine of compromise.

It didn't work then and it won't work now. In verse 16, Jesus told them, "Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth."

COMPROMISE! In business negotiations it can be a good thing. In the arena of government it is sometimes necessary. Even in the church brethren need to learn to be willing to make concessions with each other in matters that God has left up to our judgment to ensure peace and harmony. However, in matters of truth and in principles of right, compromise is deadly.

In Romans 12:1 & 2, Paul wrote, "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Literally speaking, to be "conformed to this world" is to be poured into the world's mold. Consider the second definition and sample usage of "conform" given by Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary. It says, "To act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group: One has to conform in order to succeed in this company."

Did you ever have the feeling that in order to succeed in the world, be it at school or at work, or maybe just among friends and associates, that you had to "conform" to the world? Did you ever feel that you had to act in accordance with prevailing standards, attitudes, and practices of society even though you knew that much of it was just not right? What happens is that we might find ourselves making shameful and dishonorable concessions and compromise our principles.

If I am going to be "poured into the mold" of anything, it must be in the mold of Christ. I need to be like Him, not the world. Every time I compromise my principles - and I have done that - I mess up that mold.

I having been serving the Lord for 26 years now and I still find myself compromising with the world from time to time. The words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 6:14 - 18, ring clear and true across the ages. He wrote, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty."

Greg Litmer