NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE OR CONCESSIONS

INTRO:

1. There are two words that are not found in the Bible, yet their meanings are found there.

2. The two words are: COMPROMISE and CONCESSION.

3. Mr. Webster defines these words as follows:

COMPROMISE: (1) "A settlement by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions." (2) "A committal to something derogatory, hazardous, or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character."

CONCESSION: (1) "Act of conceding or yielding." (2) "A thing yielded; an acknowledgment."

4. With these definitions before us, let us give some further consideration to the proper use of such in our lives as Christians.

I. THE RIGHT USE OF COMPROMISE AND CONCESSION.

A. In the area of personal opinions and ideas. Phil. 2:1-4; also read Rom. 14.

B. In settling differences that might arise between us.

II. SOME WRONG USES OF COMPROMISE AND CONCESSION.

A. Making arrangements that come short of God's requirements.

1. Some examples of such found in the Bible.

a. Pharaoh desired Moses compromise and make concessions in the matter of the exodus from Egypt. Exo. 8:25-28; 10:9-11, 24.

b. Some that were called upon to follow Jesus, wanted to: "First let me go bury my father." Matt. 8:21,22. Check out some land or oxen.

III. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE AND CONCESSION WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT GOD REQUIRES.

A. Read: Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; Isa. 8:20.

B. the religious world about us compromises and concedes points of God's law in order to make it palatable to the world. In other words, more politically correct.

1. No need to be baptized.

2. One church is as good as another, choose the one you feel more comfortable in.

3. The church has nothing to do with our salvation.

4. No works are required, we are saved by faith only.

C. But, I am sorry to say, there is the same type of compromise and concession prevalent among my brethren in Christ.

1. Such is so for many reasons: a. In order to have peace and harmony among brethren in a congregation.

b. In order to attract outside attention and adherents.

c. In order to sail smoothly among our peers.

d. In order to keep a job as a preacher for a congregation.

D. Areas of such compromise:

1. In church organization.

a. If no qualified elders, appoint the best you have.

b. No elders are needed, all the men (and in some cases the women) should have equal voice in the activities of the church.

c. The elders should present every decision before the congregation before moving to enact such.

1) If some in the congregation are not happy with the suggested program for the church, it should be dropped by the elders.

d. The preacher can take care of the pastoring of the flock.

e. Local autonomy will not work we must use the sponsoring chuch arrangement in the fields of evangelism, benevolence and edification.

2. In the work of the church:

a. Edification.

b. Benevolence.

c. Evangelism.

CONCLUSION:

Let us keep compromise and concession in their proper places. Sometimes in the field of opinion, compromise and concession might work just fine. But, when it comes to doing what the Lord has said, there is no room for such.

By Jim Sasser

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