What is compromise? We are told that a successful compromise involves finding a balanced solution that addresses the interests, needs, and desires of all parties involved. There is increasing pressure on Christians and conservatives to compromise more. It’s us, they say. We must learn how to balance our conflicting interests with the rest of society. But what if the interests in question cannot be reconciled? What if there is a direct conflict between God’s Truth and what the world desires? Is there a way to make sure that the best outcome, one that God Himself would be pleased with, succeeds? God’s Will and His Truth cannot be compromised!
This study will look at four biblical Truths to see how they might help in this task of difficult compromises. Lostpine calls them the “Four R’s to Compromise.” These are Reverence, Respect, Repentance, and Reconciliation.
Reverence
To begin, the necessary Reverence is for God Himself. It will not be possible to seek the goals of successful compromise without God becoming part of the solution. Reverence begins with a profound, adoring, and awed respect for God. This is much more than just honor. It signifies that we must have a deep sense of awe and humility for God’s wisdom—something greater than our wisdom will ever be.
(Hebrews 12:28)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.”
(Proverbs 9:10) – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
The characteristics of God are vast, beyond human understanding. Humanity is finite. God is infinite. God is self-existent, without origin or dependence on anything. He exists eternally, existing everywhere simultaneously. God’s knowledge is perfect, knowing all things, past, present, and future. His character is unchanging, pure, existing with moral perfection, and separated from sin. The concept of one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is mysterious and beyond human analogy or comprehension. The character and eternal nature of God existed even before creation. He exists beyond the limits of the material universe. God is timeless, existing without the constraints of the past, present, and future. He is self-sufficient and needs nothing external. Humanity falls short in even describing God’s glory, beauty, and majesty. Humanity, in its fallen state, cannot begin to bridge the gaps of compromise without God because it continually attempts to raise itself above God.
(Romans 1:21-24) – “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”
Add to the verses above the rest of Romans 1:25-32 and humanity’s track record is very bad!
Respect
Whether it is between people or nations, respect must be present for compromise to occur. Disagreements such as those over God’s Truth can destroy any attempts to find a balanced and lasting solution. The same is true when hatred is present between affected parties. Amazingly, humanity all began as the same creation, patterned after its Creator’s image. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Being made in God’s image sets humans apart from all other creatures, and signifies our unique dignity, value, and purpose. While our physical attributes are not those of God, humans share an ability to reason, create, and establish relationships. We have been entrusted by our Creator with responsibility over His creation. Everyone is considered equal in the eyes of God! For respect to exist, there must also be forgiveness. Humanity’s free will and sinfulness have given us a history of pain, suffering, and destruction. Sin works against all that is good. Forgiveness, therefore, is necessary to foster respect by promoting emotional health, restoring relationships, and modeling God’s Grace and His forgiveness of humanity. All parties must take this to heart. If there is hatred or a lack of respect for one or the other, it is foolish to expect a successful and lasting compromise.
Effective compromises seek to strike a balance between conflicting interests. While the solution should ensure that no one feels unfairly treated or left out, there must be “common ground” that is consistent with God’s Truth.
(Hebrews 3:14) – “Unlike Solomon, we cannot compromise the wisdom God has given us by His spiritual revelation if we are to ‘hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.’”
Solomon was known for his wisdom and initially followed God but later compromised his beliefs. He had married foreign wives who influenced him to worship their gods (1 Kings 11:1-8). Solomon’s compromises resulted in his spiritual decline and his divided loyalty. Like Solomon, we can start with a strong faith but drift away if we are not careful about the compromises in our lives. This is a warning! As believers, we share in all the blessings procured by Christ’s death and offered in the Gospel (such as pardon, holiness, and eternal life). However, this is conditional. The condition for this participation is that believers must hold fast to their initial confidence in Christ until the end. Compromising God’s Truth undermines our faithfulness and integrity. Staying steadfast in His wisdom and revelation is essential. This defines a boundary that cannot be crossed.
Repentance
Repentance means acknowledging that there is a need to change the direction of thinking and beliefs for both parties. Repentance requires a genuine change of heart and a commitment to follow a new way. While compromise is generally desirable, there will be situations where it’s simply not possible to agree. You should always be open to alternative options, including the possibility of walking away from the negotiation if necessary. God’s Truth is never negotiable. Repentance begins with an honest self-reflection of the issues. Both sides should approach compromise with an open attitude, and both sides should be willing to examine their own biases and misjudgments. Repentance requires humility before God. Humility allows people to listen, learn, and consider alternative viewpoints. The purpose behind repentance is to prioritize reconciliation over just being “right.” Repentance acknowledges our own need for forgiveness. The Bible consistently presents repentance as a pivotal aspect of the spiritual journey, emphasizing its role in forgiveness, restoration, and a renewed relationship with God. It works the same way with relationships with others.
(2 Chronicles 7:14) – “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
(Jeremiah 15:19) – “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman.’”
The connection between repentance, restoration, and service to God is part of any lasting compromise. We must always prioritize obedience to God’s commandments over obeying human authorities or any instructions that contradict God’s laws. “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!‘” (Acts 5:29). The apostles chose to continue proclaiming the Gospel despite facing persecution and threats, demonstrating their commitment to obeying God’s commands above all else. It underscores the importance of maintaining fidelity to God’s Truth even in the face of opposition or pressure to accept a worldy compromise.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation involves moving from a state of separation, hurt, and brokenness to a place of healing, wholeness, forgiveness, and reunion. The Greek word for reconciliation is “katallage”, meaning “adjustment of a difference” or “restoration to favor.” The Hebrew word is “kapar” or “kaphar”, which translates to “cover over” or “atone.” It’s the process of taking what is wrong and covering it with the cleansing power of God, restoring it to a new state of unity.
The Bible’s narrative begins with humanity in perfect harmony with God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2). Adam and Eve spoke with God directly and felt no shame. Their disobedience changed all of that (Genesis 3). We were cast out from the garden, breaking our original relationship with our Creator. The Bible, God’s Truth, is about the path to finding our way back to Him. The ultimate solution to God’s plan of reconciliation is through Jesus: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). The entire Gospel centers on reconciliation. Despite humanity’s repeated sins, God offers Jesus as a model and a way back to Him. This model, Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, acknowledges the need for forgiveness so that ultimate forgiveness and unity can occur.
Jesus is the Incarnation of God in human form. He experienced human life firsthand, including its joys, sorrows, temptations, challenges, and compromises. This makes Jesus relatable to humans in a unique way that God, as an omnipotent and transcendent being, is not. Jesus’ teachings and life demonstrate qualities like love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, and selflessness through his actions and interactions with people. These qualities serve as practical examples for us to follow in our daily lives. God is transcendent and beyond human comprehension. Jesus is approachable and accessible through prayer, reflection, and the following of His teachings. His life, death, and resurrection model redemption and salvation for us.
Reconciliation becomes impossible if it requires abandoning God’s Truth. That is not a compromise, that is a capitulation. Reconciliation can only take place between parties when the spirit of the compromise is consistent with God’s Truth. Using Jesus as a model, we are asked to extend grace to each other, recognizing our imperfections. The positions taken in our world are often misrepresented or are part of a history of hatred and mistrust between parties. The world will tell you that understanding truth is subjective and influenced by personal experiences. Just be aware that there are different types of truth—the truth of the world and God’s Truth. One is ever-changing, and one is evermore! Remember that reconciliation involves humility, compassion, and a willingness to find common ground. Understanding God’s Truth can be much more complex because it impacts core principles and values that should never be compromised.
(Ephesians 4:17-24) – “So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking… But you did not learn about Christ like this, if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus. You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.”
The Apostle Paul calls us to abandon the world’s ways and embrace a new life in Christ. This should always direct us toward a decision that aligns with God’s Truth and righteousness.
Summary
(Ephesians 6:13-14) – “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of being equipped to defend God’s Truth and righteousness. As believers, we are called to stand firm against any challenges and temptations to our faith. A good compromise should always allow us to defend the message of the Gospel, and, in the end, draw all parties closer to Jesus Christ. The most concise response to compromise is provided by a shepherd and prophet, Amos. “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3) People cannot ever walk together unless they agree on the destination. The same holds for God and humanity. Unless we seek God’s glory together, we cannot walk with Him. We should never presume, for even righteous reasons, that we somehow control the journey. Without God’s sanctifying grace, we are lost. The threats outlined in the Word of God against sin, the definitions of God’s Truth, and God’s judgment of us all have been clearly stated throughout history.
Contemplations
- Where do you see the difficult compromises in our nation, in society?
- Ideas to Explore: Spending; the environment; social justice; what else do you see?
- Are any of the really tough ones incompatible with God’s Truth?
- Ideas to Explore: Should either party have expectations of a successful compromise if there is not a choice consistent with God’s Truth? Can you find this issue—incompatibility with God’s truth—in any of the difficult compromises our society is trying to make now?
- From the items you described above, how do you recommend we begin to come together? Which ones do we defend?
- Ideas to Explore: Put God back into our nation, schools, and government. Defend freedom of religion, free speech, and other basic human rights. Defend the right to life?
- Why do you think people hate God’s Truth so much?
- Ideas to Explore: Evil (Satan) is in control of this world. Sin is fun. Sin is profitable. Paul’s writing in Romans describes humanity’s positioning of themselves above God. People just want to fit in and be happy.
- Would you defend God’s Truth at any expense?
- Ideas to Explore: This is a hard question because humanity is weak. However, we must find ways to keep our faith alive. To give up is to find ourselves eternally separated from God.
- Do you have personal limits to what you are willing to compromise on?
- Ideas to Explore: Are they based on biblical Truths? Are they based on personal experiences? Are they biased by where you get your information?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations