by Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. Disagreeing parties are often urged to reach a compromised position.<\/p>\n
A. After all, Christians are told to live peaceably – Romans 12:18<\/p>\n
B. We are to pursue the things that make for peace – Romans 14:19<\/p>\n
C. Without such a pursuit of peace, we cannot see God – Hebrews 12:14<\/p>\n
D. But, is compromise a legitimate way to seek peace?<\/p>\n
1. In other words, does God want us to gain peace through compromise?<\/p>\n 2. You see, the verses cited mention the need for pursuing peace, but they did\nnot mention how it was to be done.\n 3. Those advocating compromise are making the assumption that compromise\nactually brings peace and that God accepts compromise.\n
II. Does compromise work?<\/p>\n A. Definition: “A settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by\nconcession on both sides: a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or\nrights, resulting in agreement. A committal to something objectionable … a\nsurrender; as a compromise of character or right.”\n 1. In other words, to compromise is the willingness to adjust one’s beliefs to\naccommodate those who differ. It means that a person is willing to settle\nfor less than one’s convictions.\n 2. Most of us I think clearly see that such would lead to difficulties. How\ndoes a Christian compromise with an atheist? \n a. A compromise would require both to give up something they\nbelieve is a right and commit to something that both might see as\nobjectionable.\n
b. In the end, truth is no longer absolute.<\/p>\n 3. Compromise can be done by giving up a position, by accepting a position,\nor even by agreeing not to talk about a position.\n
B. The problem is that compromise forces a division of loyalty<\/p>\n
1. The primary command is to love God – Matthew 23:37-39<\/p>\n 2. When we allow something else to also guide us, there is bound to be a\nconflict – Matthew 6:24\n 3. Many compromises are done in the hopes of softening Christianity so that\nit becomes more acceptable to non-Christians.\n a. But when we make friends of the world we make God our enemy –\nJames 4:4.\n
C. It leads the weak astray<\/p>\n
1. We are always protective of children. They can easily be damaged.<\/p>\n
2. New Christians are like children – Matthew 18:3-6<\/p>\n
a. To damage a new born Christian is a serious matter.<\/p>\n 3. Consider what Peter did by going along with some Jewish Christians –\nGalatians 2:11-13\n
a. Because one compromised, others followed. <\/p>\n b. What Peter did made him more acceptable to some Jewish\nChristians, but at what cost?\n
c. Here even some of the strong were led astray<\/p>\n
4. Compromise often causes action without full faith – Romans 14:22-23<\/p>\n
D. It causes people to join in the sins of others<\/p>\n 1. For example, one person doesn’t feel the need to always tell the truth;\nanother sees all lying as a sin. Can they compromise and say that sometimes\nlying is necessary?\n a. But notice that the truthful person has accepted lying, while the liar\ncontinues to tell some truth.\n
b. Herein is the problem of compromising on any issue regarding sin<\/p>\n
2. Truth can have no fellowship with darkness – Ephesians 5:11<\/p>\n
3. There can be no joining of right and wrong – II Corinthians 6:14-7:1<\/p>\n
4. This is why we are not to even show approval to those in error – II John 9-11.<\/p>\n 5. Many years ago, J. W. McGarvey was faced with a church dividing over\nissues such as the use of instrumental music. He thought he could stem the\ntide by accepting meeting invitations at congregations that had accepted\ninstruments. Here is what he told some young preachers late in his life:\n“You are on the right road, and whatever you do, don’t let anyone\npersuade you that you can successfully combat error by fellowshipping it\nand going along with it. I have tried. I believed at the start that was the\nonly way to do it. I’ve never held membership in a congregation that used\ninstrumental music. I have, however, accepted invitations to preach with\ndistinctions between churches that used it and churches that didn’t. I’ve\ngone along with their papers and magazines and things of that sort. During\nall these years I have taught the truth as the New Testament teaches it to\nevery young preacher who passed through the College of the Bible. Yet, I\ndo not know of more than six of them who are preaching the truth today. It\nwon’t work.”\n 6. By associating with those teaching wrong, we lend credence to their\ndoctrine, even while speaking against it.\n
III. What motivates compromises?<\/p>\n
A. Compromise approaches problems from a selfish view point.<\/p>\n 1. A person desires approval, but does not want to completely give up his\nown position.\n 2. James 4:1-8 – Conflicts originate from selfishness – people wanting to\nplease themselves.\n
3. Notice the description of the falling away – II Timothy 3:1-5<\/p>\n
a. Lovers of self<\/p>\n
b. Lovers of money<\/p>\n
c. Lovers of pleasure<\/p>\n
d. But not lovers of God<\/p>\n
B. Material gain<\/p>\n 1. Many people are willing to compromise the truth to gain greater numbers,\nto increase the contribution, or to have a greater status in the eyes of men.\n 2. There are always those willing to teach whatever for money – I Timothy\n6:3-5\n
3. We cannot love the world – I John 2:15-17<\/p>\n
C. Family ties<\/p>\n 1. Have you noticed that “truth” has a tendency to change when a member of\nthe family is in sin?\n a. I’ve known a lot of false teachings on divorce and remarriage that\noriginated with a preacher who had a family member in an\nunacceptable marriage.\n
b. It is family ties that often keep people in denominations. <\/p>\n (1) “Why if I change, I would be condemning what my mother\nbelieved in.”\n
2. Must love God more – Matthew 10:34-38<\/p>\n
3. Luke 14:26 – We cannot be Christ’s disciple<\/p>\n
D. Fear<\/p>\n
1. Fear manifests itself in several ways<\/p>\n a. A fear of losing friendships drive some to compromise positions to\nappear friendly.\n b. A fear of receiving a negative reaction causes some to keep silent\nabout opposition, which is a compromised position.\n
2. Fear of men should never be a motivator<\/p>\n
a. The cowardly will be in Hell – Revelation 21:8<\/p>\n
b. Only God should be feared – Luke 12 4-5<\/p>\n
c. Only God has our eternal life in his hand – Hebrews 10:31<\/p>\n
E. Some just don’t like confrontations, so they will avoid it at almost any cost.<\/p>\n 1. Hence they think they have created unity by avoiding differences, but it is\nan artificial unity.\n
2. Yet, our forefathers did not avoid confrontation<\/p>\n
a. Jesus – Luke 23:5<\/p>\n
b. Paul – Acts 17:6-7<\/p>\n
c. Elijah – I Kings 18:17<\/p>\n
3. “But aren’t we suppose to love each other?” – John 13:34-35<\/p>\n a. Do you love your children if never confront them over their\nmistakes?\n
b. Matthew 12:30 – If you are not with Jesus, you are opposing him.<\/p>\n c. II John 10-11 – We cannot leave the impression that we approve of\nerror.\n
F. A lack of faith<\/p>\n 1. This is why some attempt to blend evolution with creation. They have more\nconfidence in science of men than in what God has said.\n 2. This is why people add entertainment to the worship. They don’t trust that\nGod’s way of drawing people will work by itself.\n
3. We need to have faith<\/p>\n
a. Hebrews 11:6 – We cannot please God without it.<\/p>\n
b. Hebrews 3:12 – Unbelief will pull us away from God.<\/p>\n
IV. Examples of the failure of compromise<\/p>\n
A. Reuben – Genesis 37:18, 21-22<\/p>\n 1. Reuben couldn’t go along with murder, so he settled for something less\nthan what was right\n
2. He allowed a lesser harm with the hopes of repairing the damage later.<\/p>\n 3. The problem was that he never had full control of the situation. He didn’t\nhave a second opportunity to correct matters\n 4. This is what McGarvey had hoped to do in the quote I gave earlier. He\nhoped to compromise now (allowing fellowship) would allow him to make\ncorrections later (teach), yet it didn’t work.\n
B. Solomon – I Kings 11:1-8<\/p>\n 1. Solomon turned from God to appease his wives. He even went so far was\nworshiping with them and building worship places for their false gods.\n
2. There is no compromise between God and idols.<\/p>\n
3. You cannot partially violate God’s laws – James 2:10-11<\/p>\n
V. Keeping the unity of faith without compromise<\/p>\n
A. Unity comes with the knowledge that there is just one truth – Ephesians 4:1-6<\/p>\n B. Unity is obtained as we each strive to mold ourselves to that single target –\nEphesians 4:11-13\n
C. God has given us only one way – Jeremiah 32:38-39<\/p>\n
D. That way is Christ – John 14:6<\/p>\n
E. United in one purpose – Philippians 2:1-2<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 I. Disagreeing parties are often urged to reach a compromised position. A. After all, Christians are told to live peaceably – Romans 12:18 B. We are to pursue the things that make for peace – Romans 14:19 C. Without such a pursuit of peace, we cannot see God – Hebrews…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[1101,1200],"class_list":["post-63798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon","tag-compromise","tag-disagreements"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":58353,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/no-room-for-compromise\/","url_meta":{"origin":63798,"position":0},"title":"No Room for Compromise","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 23, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"by Glen Young There are things happening in the world today that are alarming. Not the least of these is the increase in Moslem jihad. With the ability to obtain powerful weaponry, the proponents of a 'holy war' believe their goal is attainable. The attitude behind jihad is a real\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16088,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-do-i-know-what-or-when-to-compromise-to-advance-the-cause-of-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":63798,"position":1},"title":"How do I know what or when to compromise to advance the cause of Christ?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: How do I know what or when to compromise to advance the cause of Christ? Answer: The cause of God is not advanced by sin. \"And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), \"Let us do evil that good may come\"?\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":89101,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/when-we-differ\/","url_meta":{"origin":63798,"position":2},"title":"When We Differ","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Doy Moyer Working with people is challenging because we often have differences that extend beyond preferences in styles and tastes. We sometimes differ over what we deem significant matters, and we need to know how to approach not only the issues but also the fact of our differences and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20258,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/when-hard-hearts-need-hard-words-of-truth\/","url_meta":{"origin":63798,"position":3},"title":"When Hard Hearts Need Hard Words of Truth","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 21, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry W. Benton The preacher was all alone in his stand for truth and right because the assembly had become so worldly, and now he was the \"troubler in Israel\". He was so discouraged that he decided to quit preaching. He was miserable when preaching the truth because no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/HardHearted.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29954,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/rules-for-prosperity-and-success\/","url_meta":{"origin":63798,"position":4},"title":"Rules for Prosperity and Success","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 1:1-9 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Moses had died and Joshua now finds himself the leader of a nation about to conquer a land to claim as their own. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God appears to Joshua and offers words of encouragement - Joshua 1:7-9 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The advise was excellent for Joshua, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45775,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/peace-perfect-peace\/","url_meta":{"origin":63798,"position":5},"title":"Peace, Perfect Peace","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:13-18 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peace is a commodity much desired and rarely found \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As Christians we are told to live in peace - II Corinthians 13:11 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God is a God of peace - Philippians 4:7 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0So we expect that those following His teachings find peace -\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63798\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}