Power Point - December 8, 2005

December 8, 2005

 

Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

--Nehemiah 6:1-4

 

The devil used one power play after another against Nehemiah and the people of Israel in the form of compromise. All was completed in the rebuilding process except hanging the doors and gates on the wall, but Satan still tried to get in that one place of vulnerability. Compromise could have led to the destruction of the wall built under Nehemiah’s leadership if he had agreed to meet Sanballat and Geshem after the four messages sent. They wanted to negotiate the work God was doing among them.

 

Let me hasten to say that compromise can be a very positive thing. It is certainly necessary in human relations of all kinds including marriage, business, and relationships, but it is not to affect spiritual, biblical, moral, or ethical issues in your life. Compromise has ruined more churches, deluded more messages, neutralized more preachers, and weakened more Christians than any other thing.

 

When you are tempted to compromise what you know to be truth, remember:

 

·         The impossibility of negotiating beliefs with those who do not share our faith. Second Corinthians 6:14-15 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? … Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”

·         The greatness of our work. In verse 3, Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Never compromise the work of God!

·         The importance of your example. The project was dependent upon Nehemiah’s faithful execution of leadership. Jesus said in John 13:15, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

 

Christian living today demands decisive action. In these days before Christ returns you will be tempted to compromise like never before and to rethink what you believe about the Bible, your values, and your faith. Make your decision about what you believe to be truth, like Nehemiah did, and stand by it!

 

WHEN IT COMES TO TRUTH, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR COMPROMISE.