2 Timothy 4:1-8
There is a story of a man who could not decide what side he wanted to fight for during the Civil War in the U.S. So, he put on the coat of the North and trousers of the South, and guess what? He got shot at from both sides! This is what happens to many Christians and Churches today. There are so many who claim to be saved but live worldly lives.
Even godly Christians are in danger when they compromise. Compromise is to make concessions or accommodations for someone who does not agree with a set of standards or roles. The Bible makes it very clear that God does not condone compromising His standards.
Although there are some areas in life where compromise is necessary, for example marriage, yet there are other areas where compromise is very dangerous and even deadly.
James warns the believers about compromise.
James 4:4: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God,”
There can be no compromise with sin. Daniel was willing to die for his faith, he did not compromise.
I am not saying that a believer will never sin, but we must not compromise, excuse or ignore sin, the Bible says:
1 John 1:8: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
Many Christians excuse themselves by saying: “Well I am only human” or “I am saved and secure, God has already forgiven all my past, present and future.”
Apostle Paul writing to the believers said:
Hebrews 12:15-17: “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected! He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.”
Why do Christians and churches are compromising. Why don’t they want sound Biblical doctrine anymore? Even though today more than ever pure unadulterated preaching is necessary for pastors and teachers to teach and believers to hear.
WHY? Well, because they love the world and sin, they want to hear messages that will please them, give them a false security and at the same time feel safe and secure, that’s what most believers want to hear.
1 Timothy 4:1-2: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 we read: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
The preacher or teacher who offends them is rejected, but preachers and teachers who tickle their ears are very popular and their churches are full.
Today people want to feel good, they want humour, positive thinking, and small talk. They will not tolerate pure doctrine, teaching
Apostle Peter’s last words:
2 Peter 3:17: “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.”
Apostle Paul writing to Timothy said:
1 Timothy 6:20-21: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.”
This message is for every one of us. Just because it sounds good, feels good or appeals to us, it doesn’t make it right.
Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”