A Growing Trend:
Compromise for the Sake of Peace
Every congregation is composed of people who have differences. A growing trend among churches today is to try to satisfy the desires of all church members for the sake of peace, even to the point of compromising the Truth. A common saying goes, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." Some of these churches that have failed to take a firm stand for Truth have fallen into unscriptural practices, beliefs, and teachings.
There are not just matters of differences on liberties. These are matters of important Bible doctrines, matters that have an effect on a person's salvation. A church cannot be lukewarm, it cannot remain idle or neutral. It must take a stand for the Truth, and the elders and leaders have the obligation to determine that stand.
Oftentimes the members of these lukewarm congregations thirst for knowledge of the Truth, but they starve spiritually because they are only fed the principles of tolerance, peace, and compromise. Their leaders boast of their open-mindedness and willingness to hear everyone's opinion. Some of them espouse ideas such as modern-day miracles, visions, the impossibility of falling from grace, women preaching and praying over men, and the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. They support and encourage members to participate in the events of local denominations. And when someone tries to teach the Truth on a subject, they quickly rebuke him and instruct him to discuss those issues only with the elders instead of "tearing the church apart." Their unity and peace are based on tolerance and acceptance of a wide range of views, but they have no room for hard issues that might divide brethren; essentially, they have no room for sound doctrines. They have forgotten that the word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword. What does the Bible say about unity and peace?
The Corinthians experienced numerous problems, and Paul wrote to correct them. Their first problem was their divisions (factions) of people with different beliefs. Did Paul tell them to "just get along" and "tolerate" their differences? No! He told them in 1 Corinthians 1:10 that they should "all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment." Another translation renders this that they should "all speak the same thing." Can a church whose members do not "speak the same thing" be united? No! As the Corinthians learned, their differences were the source of their constant conflicts. The only way to be truly united and at peace is for everyone to agree and teach the same things. We do not necessarily have to all agree on matters of liberty. But if they had been acceptable to God as they were, Paul would not have admonished them to change. Paul also told the Phillipians to be "standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27) and to "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (Phil. 2:2). How can you have the same spirit, the same mind and the same purpose when you don't agree or take a stand for the Truth?
How does this happen? Why don't the elders do something about it? There seems to be a general lack of true leadership from the elders. They do not wish to "rock the boat" or offend anyone. They are "straddling the fence." They refuse to take a stand on the issues. Jesus told the Laodicean church, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).
Many of the problems and differences among brethren today revolve around one topic: authority. Some people use just enough of the Bible to be baptized, and then call the rest of it "traditions" and "suggestions." Some people believe there is a difference between the Gospel and the doctrines of the New Testament, and that the doctrines are merely traditions. Some people believe the church can do anything the Bible does not expressly prohibit, while others believe the church cannot do anything that is not expressly allowed. Some even believe that the fact that we do not all agree is proof that we need prophets today to help us understand the Word. What does the Bible say about that?
Again, the Corinthians had problems with authority and traditions. Paul told them in 1 Cor. 4:6 to "learn not to exceed what is written." In other words, they were to respect and abide by the written commands of God. And he tells them to "hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2). He told the Phillipians, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us." And to the Thessalonians, Paul said, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us" (2 Thess. 2:15). These Scriptures all teach that we are to copy the pattern of the first century Christians and churches. We are not to add to their actions or fall short of them.
Apparently some congregations believe they can attract and retain more members by trying to please as many of them as possible. They have no set "tradition" regarding the proper order of the worship assembly, but allow different members (with different traditions) to decide the order of things at each meeting. They have no "stand" on the issues or any real leadership. What does the Bible say about that?
Paul asked the Galatians, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." And to Timothy, Paul wrote, "maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality" (1 Tim. 5:21). Paul does not tell them to try to please the members (though the Truth should be pleasing to them), but to seek to please God first, without showing partiality to anyone. But some of these churches do show partiality by encouraging some members to discuss their issues while restraining others from discussing theirs, and by honoring some traditions that dishonor others.
Paul prophesied that such a time would come when people would compromise the truth. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths" (2 Tim 4:3-4).
Why do they do this? What is the source of this practice? They may defend themselves by claiming to follow the commands of unity and brotherly love. These are certainly godly and admirable goals, but they are no substitute for unity based on Truth and "speaking the same thing." They may defend themselves by claiming that they do not wish to alienate anyone. This too is an admirable goal, for we should always try to avoid offending our brother. But the plain and simple truth is that sometimes the Truth hurts, and sometimes you have to "step on some toes" when you defend and practice the Truth. If they are offended, teach them the Truth so they will not be offended. They may also defend themselves by claiming to be saving souls. How do you save souls when you are not preaching the whole Truth?
Written by David F. Sims, doing my part to "turn the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)
All quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise stated.
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