Drinking From the Cup of Compromise

“Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15 NIV

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photo credit: mcuff via photopin cc

 

Sometimes I wish I never heard the name Jesus.  I wish I had never opened the Bible, or went to church, or ever befriended someone who walked in His ways.  Then I would live in my own little world where I could speak, and do, and live however I pleased.  A place where the lines between right and wrong are blurred, crooked, and colored in shades of gray.  Yes, a place where words like honesty, obedience, and compromise wouldn’t sting my soul, or gnaw at my conscience.

 

But the truth is, I fell.  I fell for this King, this Redeemer, and Savior called Jesus.  I want what he offers.  He promises peace – good, I’ll take it.  He promises strength – a double portion, please. He promises salvation – send me to the front of the line.

 

I can take, and take, and take all day.

 

But when we say “yes” to him, and the Holy Spirit descends upon us, something happens.  An awakening that presses in, chips away, and reforms our actions, words, and thoughts.  As Paul wrote, “The old life is gone.  A new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

We are no longer unwise, but wise and whatever is in our cup of compromise becomes a much harder drink to swallow.

 

As a child, I was a perpetual liar.  I’m not sure if it was stupidity, protection, or just a thrill, but lying was my answer for everything.  When my mother couldn’t take it anymore, she enlisted the help of my second grade teacher.  Every Friday afternoon, Mrs. Mayer would take me out into the hall and ask me if I lied during the week.  I replied “no” and for whatever reason, she believed me and handed me a cherry LifeSaver lollipop as a reward.

 

I lied to Mrs. Mayer every week, and I was willing to live with it.  My young mind thought nothing of it, and when the rest of the class watched me eat my lollipop, my popularity was close to celebrity status, so what was the big deal?

 

As I grew up, lying lost its glamour.  Life was more complicated, and the lies I had to concoct became too complex.  Lying no longer came with a sweet reward, but rather left a bitter taste in my mouth.

 

And that’s what the Holy Spirit works in us – a bitterness to our former ways.  The Lord declares in Jeremiah 2:19 that we, “Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me.”

 

Consider and realize.  Two actions most of us would rather not think about until our cup becomes too heavy to lift, and the drink too rancid to consume.  At that point we must ask ourselves a question:

 

Am I willing to live with, accept, and value the high cost of compromise?

 

We’re tired.  We look around and see so many people compromising their life away and think, “Why not me? If they can get away with it, surely I can!” but I want to encourage you not to give in.

 

Draw on the Lord for strength. Cast on him your conscience, and ask for eyes that aim only for Heaven, so we can mirror Luke who said, “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” (Acts 24:16)

 

So hang in there, and throw that cup of compromise away.

 

Have you conquered your cup of compromise?  Drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you!