Compromise. Sometimes it can be a good thing, and other times it definitely is not. Sometimes when your spouse or friend wants to do one thing, and you want to do another, it might be best to compromise on a decision, rather than get into a heated argument about it. There are, though, most certainly times when one should never compromise, should never back down to the opposition’s attempts to challenge you, and that is with your faith. As we look at today’s Scripture from Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians, we will see how Paul never compromised when it came to issues of the faith, but stood true to God’s Word.
When we read through the Book of Acts, we see account after account of Paul traveling from city to city throughout Asia Minor and Greece spreading the saving message of Jesus. As a result, he encountered much opposition, both from the local Jewish residents, and also the Gentiles. The Jews who did not believe in Jesus were angry that Paul was claiming Jesus was the Messiah. Many of the Jews who had accepted Jesus were upset that he taught the Gentile believers that they did not need to follow all of the Old Testament Law. The pagans throughout the area were not happy, either, as they lost followers of their pagan deities. Paul was beaten by both groups, run out of town, occasionally arrested, and even stoned and left for dead.
What could Paul do? For one thing, he might not have received such strong opposition everywhere he went if he had compromised with his opponents. He could have changed his message a bit in order to please others. Perhaps he could have sat down with some of the Jewish believers who were not happy that the Gentile believers were not following the Old Testament Law. He could have asked how he could change his message to make them happy, maybe put in a good word for the Pharisees every now and then. To please the pagans Paul could have taught that it was okay to mix in some of their pagan practices with their Christianity. He could have watered down his message in order to please everyone, in order to compromise. However, as we know, Paul did not do that. The Lord Jesus did not do that, either. Both stood against the opposition and preached God’s Word as it is. Paul believed and therefore he spoke (vs. 13). Paul stood true to his convictions, no matter what the cost. He would not alter his message to suit his listeners. Paul believed the power of God to act through his message.
Because of the stand Paul took, he endured much affliction and persecution. Yet he viewed that as something light, not worth concerning himself with. He called it a “light affliction”, which only lasts for a little while compared to eternity (vs. 17). The joy that he knew would await him in heaven far outweighed the beatings, stoning, and other attacks.
If Paul compromised and watered down his message, he might have had it easier during his lifetime here on earth. Fewer people would have been angry at him. However, he knew that his reward in heaven would be less, as well. Which would Paul rather have - a difficult life on earth, which is only for a few years, and an eternity of joy, or an easy life for a few years, and less rewards in heaven for eternity? We know what Paul chose, and what we should choose, as well.
We need to look beyond the physical to the spiritual, beyond the present to the future, beyond the visible to the invisible (vs. 18). Paul looked past the temporary, as that is perishing, to the glory that awaited him. We need to look at things from God’s perspective. Today’s world-view has everything flipped over, wrong-side up, and too many Christians are succumbing to it. Too many believers, and unfortunately far too many preachers and Christian schools and seminaries, are willing to compromise their beliefs and standards in order to please the world. They don’t want to make any waves, they don’t want to “offend” anyone, so they compromise the Word of God.
Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain and fierce opposition. The power of the Holy Spirit will renew us day by day. For the believer, no matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life, where all suffering will end, and all sorrow will flee away.
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