Compromised Christianity

Let’s take a quick look at Christ’s examples directed to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3. In all cases, He had specific commendations and condemnations for each one. - After pointing out what He could concerning their strengths, He then moved to their problems - the most of which revolved around compromise.

In Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) for example, even though He appreciated their hard work and perseverance, He was concerned that they had “forsaken their first love” (Christ). He then said to “repent” and to “do the things you did at first”. -- Does it seem that our churches today have lost sight of their first love? -- When we begin to depend on buildings, budgets, staffs, organizational plans - under our own power - we then become a business organization and not a church. Jesus  saw this and instructed us to return to the things “we did at first” - Love God - love one another, and trust that our needs will be given to us.

Let’s move now to the churches at Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17) and Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29). Both experienced compromise in the forms of false teachings and/or sexual immorality. - Do we see these conditions prevailing today? -- Absolutely! We are now witnessing sinful lifestyles such as homosexuality and the practice of abortion being accepted in many churches. They attribute this to a more modern attitude compared to “outdated doctrines” of the past.

1 Timothy 4:1 says,

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

(Also see 1 Timothy 6:20-21 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

What was Jesus’ instructions to those misleading practices? - “Repent therefore.” (Rev. 2:16), and “I will cast her on a bed of suffering.” (Rev. 2:22)

Another area of compromise we see in today’s church is in the form of “nationalism”. It seems the more I listen to Evangelicals talk, the less I hear about the hope of Christ’s coming again and the more I hear about making the U.S.A. a Christian nation. - Today there are many Christians who are bent on changing society through government programs, lobbying activities, civil disobedience and pressure groups. - Simply, I do not find any place in the Bible that says this is the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ. This mission is being replaced by those who believe the Kingdom of God can be established here and now by our human activities. In short, this arrogant church covets political power - not the power of God.

Concerning our worldly position, we only need to go to the scriptures (what a concept!) for our answer. Briefly, there are 10 scriptures that directly relate to this question. Two examples are:

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

James 4:4 - You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

(Others are John 14:27, 15:18-19, 16:33, 17:14-16, 18:36, 1 Cor. 3:19, 2 Cor. 10:3, and 1 John 2:15).

Now let’s move to the 7th church - Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22). Here we see a church that was “lukewarm”. Jesus goes on to say it was rich and in need of nothing. - Sound familiar today? - We have only to look at things going on within the Body of Christ today to know that many are following either the “money” or the “I-me, feel-good” message. In fact, I’m absolutely ashamed of what passes today as “Christian” television. I’d rather watch back-to-back hours of Obama speeches than listen to some of these top-rated preachers. Simply put, these “prosperity” and “feel-good” messages are robbing God of His rightful place in the hearts and minds of His children.

Once again, let’s look to the scriptures to find the truth of Christ’s teachings concerning earthly wealth. - In a quick overview, there are 22 specific scriptures relating to the dangers and sin of earthly wealth. For example, Matthew 6:24 says that “No one can serve two masters.” - Luke 16:13 states that we cannot “...serve both God and money.” Finally, James 5:1-3 talks about the false teachings of material wealth. (For the complete list of scripture, request by e-mail.)

Also, we see in the second church at Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11), Jesus commended them for their steadfastness and pointed out that even though they were living in poverty (earthly), they were rich (spiritually) for this, they were promised the “crown of life”.

To close this point, Mark 8:36 says,

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

-That’s plain enough for me!

So what about all this compromise -- all this wealth and feel-good doctrine - this political power - this importance of being popular?

To sum up, Paul was not popular in his day. He was little known, despised, and rejected. - This does not sound much like the way we paint the ministry today, when preaching is many times called a profession instead of a calling.

Nowhere in the New Testament do I find that Christians are to expect to be popular and successful. The servant is not better than his Lord. Christ was despised and rejected, with nowhere to lay His head. He was born in another person’s stable. He died outside the city walls, an outcast, having come to His own who received Him not. He was buried in another man’s tomb.

In His footsteps followed the heroes of the faith who were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, stoned and slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted and tormented.

In many parts of the world, being a Christian still means suffering. But here in America, giving your life to Jesus Christ brings little persecution. Sadly, it is often difficult to tell the difference between a Christian and a non-believer in today’s society.

I am afraid that we in the church are making a great mistake by trying to make Christianity popular and pleasant. We have taken away the cross and replaced it with comfort. But Christ said the world hated Him, and He predicted that it would hate us (John 15:18-19). - He invited us not to a picnic, but to a pilgrimage.  He offered us not an excursion, but an execution.

Too many Christians have geared their program to gain worldly favor. We argue that humanity is more Christian now, that we need not suffer as our forefathers did.

But the times are not brighter. True Christians are a foreign influence, a minority group in a heathen world. If the church is acceptable to this present age and is not stirring up trouble or suffering reproach, then God have mercy on the church! - If we are at peace with this world, it may be because we have sold out to it.

Are you a Christian and proud of it? You should be able to say with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16 - NKJV)

Until next time,

Red