Compromise: A Great Temptation of the 21st Century Church

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

(ESV)

The idea of compromise often comes up during political debate in the United States.  While those of us who are politically active have ideas we want to see implemented through legislation, the constitutional legislative process often requires some compromise.  (1)  The intent of the authors of the U.S. Constitution in creating this legislative process was to prevent tyrannical dictatorial power concentrated in either a run-away legislature or executive from taking over the country.  Any tyrant attempting to subvert the nation would experience difficulty when this constitutional system is working properly for he or she must be able to obtain a majority in both houses of congress which would require compromise that will most likely water down the devious intent of the legislation.   However, compromise of ones’ values or the Word of God is dangerous and something each of us must avoid.   

Bible commentators believe the vain deceit spoken of by Paul in Colossians 2:8 is Gnosticism.  (2)  Among the erroneous beliefs of Gnostics are,

1)      All matter and humanity is evil – While the Gospel teaches that every individual has sinned, to teach that all humanity and matter is evil, creates a great tension between spirit and matter, and a message void of any hope for salvation.

2)      God is far removed from His creation

3)      Humanity is trapped in their physical bodies

4)      The fall has trapped humanity in physical bodies subject to sin

5)      Salvation comes from a redeemer who teaches the path from bondage to sin.  In other words, salvation is by knowledge – self-knowledge.

6)      Jesus is the redeemer pointing us to the path of salvation but denies the deity of Jesus (3)

Basically, the Gnostics taught a gospel of salvation by works.  Since the complete law of the first covenant was available at the time of Christ and if salvation could be achieved by adhering to it, why was it necessary for Jesus to die on the cross and resurrect from the dead.  This I believe is the philosophy and empty deceit spoken of by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:8. The reason for the rise of Gnosticism in the early church was perhaps a desire by Jewish converts to Christianity to hold on to their Jewish traditions.  Today, we only see Gnosticism in some secretive cults and in pop religious movements like astrology or alchemy most likely because the church today is mostly Gentile and has little desire to return to Jewish traditions.  (3)  However, even though Gnosticism is not prevalent in today’s church, there is a compromise even more dangerous in today’s church, a compromise with sin. 

In Colossians 2:1, the Apostle Paul speaks of a great struggle he has for both those in Colossi and those at Laodicea.  The Apostle John also mentions the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22.  John equates this church to one that is lukewarm and neither hot or cold.  As I am writing this it is 107 degrees outside in Phoenix Arizona.  Thankfully I am in my air-conditioned house at 80 degrees but I spent the morning working in my yard so I do have a nice cold drink of water by me as I write.  On cold mornings, and we do have a few of those in Phoenix in the winter, I find a nice hot cup of coffee satisfying.  What most of us do not find satisfying is a lukewarm cup of coffee or glass of water and just as God spits the lukewarm church at Laodicea out of his mouth, we would most likely spit these drinks out of our mouths as well. 

Many churches today have abandoned the pulpit which in older churches towered over the congregation symbolizing the importance of the words about to be uttered by the pastor speaking behind it.  According to Alex Dobson, these once powerful oratories delivered from behind the pulpit that resulted in changed lives have been replaced by friendly talks from the stage.  (4) 

Famed television pastor Joel Osteen has frequently made it very clear he “doesn’t speak of hell, sin, or damnation, or anything that is hard to hear” from the pulpit.   (5)  Sadly, many churches today have become modern-day versions of the church at Laodicea evidenced by a recent twitter poll of church leaders and church members.  This poll revealed the following alarming trends,

1. Christians have no sense of urgency to reach lost people.
2. Many Christians and church members do not befriend and spend time with lost persons.
3. Many Christians and church members are lazy and apathetic.
4. We are more known for what we are against than what we are for.
5. Our churches have an ineffective evangelistic strategy of “you come” rather than “we go.”
6. Many church members think that evangelism is the role of the pastor and paid staff.
7. Church membership today is more about getting my needs met rather than reaching the lost.
8. Church members are in a retreat mode as culture becomes more worldly and unbiblical.
9. Many church members do not really believe that Christ is the only way of salvation.
10. Our churches are no longer houses of prayer equipped to reach the lost.
11. Churches have lost their focus on making disciples who will thus be equipped and motivated to reach the lost.
12. Christians do not want to share the truth of the gospel for fear they will offend others. Political correctness is too commonplace even among Christians.
13. Most churches have unregenerate members who have not received Christ themselves.
14. Some churches have theological systems that do not encourage evangelism.
15. Our churches have too many activities; they are too busy to do the things that really matter.  (6)

Even casually looking at events occurring around our world reveals that we live in a world where sin is rampant.  The Gospel teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Jesus came to be a substitute for our sins and thankfully took our death penalty.  Thankfully he also resurrected from the dead demonstrating his victory over it.  Any church or minister of the Gospel that fails in mentioning sin from the pulpit or does not have reaching out to the lost in their communities as its mission is not a church at all but a glorified social gathering. 

I therefore urge pastors to cease delivering friendly messages from the pulpit and to instead deliver the powerful message of the Gospel which is hard for sinners to hear but which has the power to change lives.  I urge church members to pray for and if the opportunity arises, share the Gospel with those they encounter in their daily lives.  In fact, if you are reading this now and have not accepted Jesus gift of salvation, I urge you to do so now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Your sins have now been forgiven and you are no longer under sin’s death penalty.  Now I urge you to find a church where the powerful message of the Gospel is preached, including the mention of sin, and share what has just occurred in your life with someone else. 

May God bless everyone reading this.

1. U.S. Congress. How Our Laws are Made. www.congress.gov. [Online] U.S. Congress. [Cited: August 26, 2017.] https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/How+Our+Laws+Are+Made+-+Learn+About+the+Legislative+Process.

2. biblehub.com. Colossians 2:8. biblehub.com. [Online] Biblehub. [Cited: August 26, 2017.] http://biblehub.com/commentaries/colossians/2-8.htm.

3. Theopedia. Gnosticism. https://www.theopedia.com. [Online] Theopedia. [Cited: August 26, 2017.] https://www.theopedia.com/gnosticism.

4. Dobson, Alex. Where Have all the Pulpits Gone? www.oneplace.com. [Online] OnePlace. [Cited: August 26, 2017.] http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/watchman-radio-hour/read/articles/where-have-all-the-pulpits-gone-11814.html.

5. Idleman, Shane. Joel Osteen: Preach God's Truth; Don't Avoid Sin, Repentance. www.christianpost.com. [Online] The Christian Post, March 29, 2016. [Cited: August 26, 2017.] http://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-truth-sin-repentance-160365/.

6. Rainer, Thom S. FIFTEEN REASONS OUR CHURCHES ARE LESS EVANGELISTIC TODAY. thomrainer.com. [Online] Thom S. Rainer, February 23, 2015. [Cited: August 26, 2017.] http://thomrainer.com/2015/02/fifteen-reasons-churches-less-evangelistic-today/.