A Compromised World

Dear Brethren,

This world in which we live has been compromised by evil.  It was not created to be evil, but it became that way.  Compromise has a negative connotation when it means “to surrender Godly principles and values."  We find ourselves citizens of this present evil world, residing in carnal fleshly bodies (Romans 8:7).  Fortunately, we are privileged to know the outcome and resolution of this situation.  We know, for example, that God is not going to wink at this evil world because our Lord said:

“I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”  (Isaiah 13:11)

Sadly, we in God’s Church have not been immune from this terrible evil, but have been partakers of it just like everyone else—children of disobedience.  As much as we might wish to deny our sinful past, we have all sinned by compromising ourselves—making us part and parcel with this compromised world.

“Among whom also we all had our conduct in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”  (Ephesians 2:3)

The compromised relationship with God began at the very beginning with Adam, and has continued in all of mankind.  The big question then becomes, how can we become uncompromised, forgiven, reconciled to God, and able to partake of the grace afforded us?  We must make sure that we are living an uncompromising life in the midst of a compromising world.

“If by one man's offence death reigned by one [Adam]; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17)

Because we are sinners, it is only through repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Christ for our forgiveness that we can become uncompromised in God’s sight.  It becomes abundantly clear that our compromised nature in this evil world is only restored to righteousness by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice—in which He gave Himself for our sins.

“[Jesus] gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”  (Galatians 1:4)

With that being said, we need to examine ourselves on a regular basis because of the tendency of our human nature to drag us back into our former compromised condition.  Do not think that that is not likely.  Paul often mentioned that it was possible to revert to our previous compromised status—that of being unapproved of by God.

“I keep my body under [control], and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a worthless reprobate.”  (1Corinthians 9:27)

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”  (Hebrews 4:1)

Are we building our spiritual house without compromise?  What direction are our lives heading? What path are we going down?  God called us and opened our minds to hear and understand His truth.  But, we are seriously cautioned not to trust our own evaluation of ourselves.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  (Jeremiah 17:9)

We might think from the bottom of our heart that we are right—absolutely right—but God says, “No, you are not good.”  We are sold under sin.  We dare not trust in our own shrewdness to gain us entrance into God’s Kingdom.  Compromise is a serious threat, especially in this present day.   We have the proclivity to overlook our comfortable shortcomings which can lead to compromising God’s perfect way.  How can we be sure that we are trusting in the sovereignty of God, and not in our own schemes and penchants?

When we look back at our lives, the times that we have fallen into sin, and we retrace our steps, we will find in most every instance it started with a little bit of compromise.   If there is a breakdown in our relationship with God, it is only a matter of time until compromises start making their way into our life.

In today’s sermon we will talk about how to look closely at ourselves to make doubly sure that we are not conning ourselves, playing church, or falling into a trap of compromising our Christian calling.

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Sermon:  "A Compromised World"  


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