The unbelieving world can no longer see Christ, but it does see those who bear His name—Christians. What does the world see when it looks at us? Does it see Christ in us, or do we fail in our testimony for Him because of compromise in our personal lives? As Christians we are called to wholly follow the Lord—not with our lips alone, but with our whole being. Christ has called us to be His own without reservation, but when we compromise with Satan we find ourselves treading on very dangerous ground.
There are many ways in which we may be tempted to compromise with this enemy of Christ and of our souls. When Moses demanded of Pharaoh the liberation of the children of Israel, they were longing for freedom from slavery. Pharaoh's offers of compromise were typical of the way Satan seeks today to keep Christians in bondage to the world.
To Israel, Pharaoh said, "Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land" (Exod. 8:2525And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. (Exodus 8:25)). How similar is the advice we are given today: Don't be a fanatic—be in the world and of the world, for that is where the action is—don't try to be different; you must stay close to people to be of any real help to them.
It is also suggested that by staying "in the land," we shall find it much easier to be Christians. But this is a falsehood.
The Apostle Paul knew the danger of compromise with the world, and exhorted us, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Rom. 12:22And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2).
Pharaoh's second offer of compromise has its counterpart today also. "I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away" (Exod. 8:2828And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me. (Exodus 8:28)). While God was insisting upon a clean break from Egypt, Pharaoh wanted the people to stay close. If he could keep them near, he could still exercise authority over them and force them to return; thus the testimony would have been nullified more effectively than if they had never left Egypt at all. More serious injury to the cause of Christ has been done by persons who once seemed to have given up the world, and then returned to it, than if they had never made Christian profession. Their attitude demonstrates that, having "tasted of the heavenly gift," they have no appetite for it and "fall away... crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh" (Heb. 6:4-64For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4‑6)).
It is striking too how Egypt typified for Israel that which we see in today's world order. There the people were slaves, even as the unbelieving are slaves today.
How subtle the urge to compromise with Satan! And how disastrous! All around us are men and women who are lost because they have already made the wrong choice; they will not believe. "But if also our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in those that are lost; in whom the god of this world has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine forth for them." 2 Cor. 4:3, 43But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3‑4); J.N.D. Trans.
It would seem that the spirit of compromise is working havoc among Christians. May each one of us who has received Christ as our personal Savior seek grace, purpose of heart, an d strength to stand against the rising tide of compromise. Let us bear in mind, that when we yield, it is not just ourselves that we discredit; we are dishonoring the One whose name we bear, who gave up everything that He might have us for Himself. May His love so constrain us that we no longer live to ourselves, but to Him who died for us, and rose again.