J. T. Armet
Compromise here has ruined the testimony of many. They once made a fair start, but the fear of man, or the love of ease, or of social standing, or of the approval of kindred or acquaintances has come between them and the Lord. It is a poor exchange, but many have made it, and adhered to it to the end. It should break our hearts as we think of it, and make us hate the thought of compromise.
Let us trace the way of departure. Perhaps the family is in opposition to a faithful testimony. Simplicity and faithfulness to Christ are derided, a name of reproach is given to true Christians, and the soul is caught in the snare, because he is not abiding in Christ. Fearful of reproach or discomfort, the soul gives way and steers a middle course. Men call it moderation and wisdom, but the soul has been damaged and is adrift.
God is merciful, but the Word and communion with God and with His people are less and less enjoyed; trials and chastenings are too much for the heart. The peaceable fruits of righteousness do not follow. What a sad witness for Christ! Such bear witness in their family and in the world that godliness is only a name, not a reality.
If not altogether so, still the course is vacillating, and the heart not at rest, the testimony correspondingly marred.
The fear of man is, however, closely connected with our love of the world in some form. We are not weaned from the world in some way when the fear of God is displaced by the fear of man, and Satan has power with us. The pride of life—how weak our hearts are that it should ever ensnare us!
Should not a glance at the life of the Lord make us ashamed? What pure joy is lost by love of social standing; how withering to the soul is such a preference and such an atmosphere. Self-love and idolatry are thrusting Christ from the heart.
In such cases there is also this grave danger of the hardening of the heart by the continuance of religious forms and outward service and utterances. But either way, the soul has made an evil choice, and has turned from the narrow way. Jesus is still knocking at the door, standing there, but He has been left outside. Friendship with the world is enmity against God.
Christian, let no one come between your soul and Christ. Let nothing turn you aside from the cross. Christ has redeemed you by His blood, and has given you the Holy Spirit. By this great redemption you are separated to God from all worldly friendships, alliances, and purposes. Christ has joined you to Himself forever, and He has joined you to His people, for we are members of His Body and members one of another. His sheep can never perish (John 10:27,2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)). Let that encourage your heart to rise up and follow Him. He loves His own and loves them to the end (John 13:11Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1)). He washes their feet, cleanses away defilements, for if He washes them not, they have no part with Him. So He restores their souls, never forsaking them.
Let us flee, then, from half-heartedness and world-bordering and compromise, in family, business, and in the inward exercises of the soul. As Christ has died for us, let us live for Him (2 Cor. 5:1515And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)), and we shall realize the word, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom. 8:3131What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Rom. 8:35,3735Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35)
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37).
"In all these things." In the midst of fiery trials, Christians can be more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
With such a word, may we forsake all carnal seeking and carnal shrinking, and go forth "on the water" to Him-go forth to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. Let us boldly take faith's reckoning: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom. 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18).
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out [through faith], not knowing whither he went.... Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable. These all... confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city. Heb. 11:8-168By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8‑16).