"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Matthew 7:24-27
We live in times where "political correctness," "tolerance,” and "ecumenism” (universal Christian unity despite doctrinal differences) are the norm. Those of us who refuse to embrace their action, words, and beliefs are labeled "legalist," "intolerant," "homophobic," and so on. The most ridiculous thing is that they demand freedom and tolerance when they themselves are “intolerant” of those of us who have the courage to stand up for the Truth!
Sadly, this is what many faithful disciples of Christ have to face and endure for the sake of the Gospel and the teachings of Christ. And no matter what the world might say, we Christians must never compromise our faith and hope!
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that, He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31).
There is only one salvation, one Savior, one true church, one baptism, one Truth, one faith, one Gospel, and one hope!!
"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Jesus said,
"... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6).
The question at stake is:
- How many "Christians" want to "hold hands" with Islam?
- How many want to belong to denominations: "churches" that Jesus neither founded nor died for?
- How many of these denominations deny the inspiration of the Scriptures!
You see, Jesus never compromised the Truth when He confronted the religious hypocrites of His time!
He told them,
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matthew 23:23; read verses 1-39).
Jesus didn’t compromise the Truth when He told precious souls to go and sin no more!
He said,
"... Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:10,11; read verses 1-11).
Jesus didn't compromise Truth when He confronted false teachers and their teachings!
"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:7-9; read verses 1-20).
Jesus didn't compromise the Cross for "religious freedom!"
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (John 3:14-15, 18; read verses 1-21: understanding that "belief" is obedient belief! cf. James 2:19-24).
So why is it that many compromise the purity of the Gospel that Jesus died for? No! Jesus never did! If it does not matter what we believe, then it does not matter if we believe!
Though some might deny the last part of this statement, they still endorse the first! But guess what? It does matter to God and Jesus! Does it really matter to you?
Jesus declared,
"... If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
Obviously, these verses do not compromise. Why? Because you are either a faithful disciple of Jesus, abiding in His Word, or you are not!
Thus,
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).
The apostle Paul urges us, saying,
"For the time will come (it is here now!) when they will not endure Sound Doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; they shall turn away their ears from the Truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Nevertheless, a faithful disciple of Christ must
"... earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).
Therefore, there is no room for compromising our faith and the Gospel! So, Christian,
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13, 14).
You must start hearing Jesus' words and applying them in your life to do the will of the Father and enter the kingdom of heaven. You must start building your faith upon the rock, Jesus, our Lord, to withstand everything that hinders your walk with Him (Matthew 7:21, 24-25).
Although we live in the world, a world that’s always changing and seeking to compromise, expand, and compete with mega-churches, we Christians are called to build upon the only true Rock, not on the shifting sands. God is seeking those who, from a sincere heart, want to be faithful, stay on course, and be committed to His cause and not man's. The cost is too high to be on the side of compromise! What do you think?
May we have a humble and sincere heart to start hearing Jesus' words to do the will of the Father and enter the kingdom of heaven. May we start building our faith upon the only true Rock, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luci
