WEDNESDAY’S WORD – COMPROMISE – 04/18/18- Sadell Bradley – New Life Covenant Cincinnati

COMPROMISE is one of those words that has a double meaning. In one sense, it means an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. Former US First Lady Barbara Bush (RIP) I’m sure was privy to many conflicts that would better have been settled if the parties involved would have come to a middle ground understanding. Scripture tells us the Law of Love is the ultimate arbiter because it has these characteristics, “(Love) is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful

or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].” (1 Cor. 13:5) Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline said the Discipline of Submission is, “The ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get your own way…it is of little consequence if our plans are frustrated if their plans succeed. We discover it is better to serve your neighbor than to have our own way.” Wouldn’t that disposition and corresponding action make a tremendous impact on our families, jobs, churches and governments! 

Then there’s the other side of COMPROMISE – the acceptance of standards that are lower than desirable. Certain values are not to be compromised. Psalm

119:2-3, NLT admonishes, “Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and walk only in His paths.” This use of the word compromise combines both definitions. Christ followers are not to come into agreement or make concessions with evil, AND they are not to accept standards that are lower than those of the Kingdom. In this time we are constantly being challenged to change or dilute Biblical ideals. It is becoming more and more difficult to stand firm as we are sure to incur losses for not deviating from our morals, scruples or ethics. I want to encourage all who will suffer with Christ to stand firm. “Courage, not compromise brings the smile of God’s approval.”  Thomas Monson