SPEED LIMIT

Do you obey the speed limit? It’s not a question people often ask, and for good reason. I haven’t ever met one person who perfectly obeys the speed limit. I know I don’t, and I know you don’t – so what’s the point of asking? Where there is compromise taking place there will be silence. No one wants to talk about the compromises we make because no one wants to walk around constantly feeling bad about them.

In our current series ‘Dear GENESIS’, we are learning week after week that Jesus is not silent on the compromises the church made. Whether theological or moral, the One who never compromised is not fearful to talk about the dangers and destruction that will beset those who choose the path of compromise.

COMPROMISE:: TWO REALITIES

1. COMPROMISE ALWAYS BEGINS SMALL
No husband ever wakes up and declares ‘Today is the day that I’m going to have an affair, ruin my marriage and lose the respect of my children.’ Compromise doesn’t work that way. It always begins with the small things that we deem insignificant. ‘I’m only looking at pornography. It’s not impacting anyone else.’ Or, ‘She’s just a friend from work and we’re just having fun with some of the flirtatious things we do.’ In time, the compromises we think are small will eventually lead us down a road we never intended to go. Compromise takes us places we never dreamed of traveling and the cost will be more than we were ever willing to pay.

What compromises are you making today? Are they theological? Relational? Moral? Jesus’ invitation is to repent today so that you will not be buried tomorrow.

2. COMPROMISE IS LIKE RUST
Have you ever seen a rusty car? Pretty nasty! That car did not get like that overnight. In fact, there was a point in time when that car was free of rust. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, the tiniest hint of rust shows up near the rear panel. It doesn’t seem like much at the time, but six months later that tiny patch of rust has grown and before you know it, it’s taken over the whole car.

Compromise is like rust. Its impact starts small, but in time, when unchecked and un-repented of, it will completely take over. You’ll find yourself compromising on things you never thought you’d compromise on. Like rust, compromise gives birth to more compromise.

Slapping a fresh coat of paint on rust won’t get rid of it. It may cover it up for a bit, but that’s only an aesthetic solution. To truly get rid of rust you need to replace the panels affected by it. Likewise, where we have compromised – theologically, morally, or relationally - we must renew those areas with commitment to biblical integrity. Jesus loved His church enough to warn her of the compromises she was making. When compromise crept in, Jesus made it clear that it was not too late to repent.

Maybe this is why there are speed limit signs posted everywhere. There are warning signs along every road that tell us to slow down because the consequences of ignoring them could be fatal to you or those around you. Every invitation and sign that points us to repentance is a fresh reminder that God has something better for us that will never be discovered or enjoyed on the road of compromise.

You can watch and/or listen to our 'Dear GENESIS' series HERE.