How to safeguard the truth

The old saying goes, “Every man has his price.” Is that true? Do all of us have moral standards that are valid so long as they accommodate our personal goals and desires? Or are we willing to set aside our desires for the sake of those standards we claim to believe?

Church history is full of people who refused to compromise biblical standards. As he stood before the Diet of Worms and was ordered to recant his writings or lose his life, Martin Luther did not deny Christ. Hugh Latimer and Nicolas Ridley, two English Reformers, were both burned at the stake for their faith in Jesus Christ. These men are representative of the people who cannot be bought. No price will cause them to sell out.

People who hold to uncompromising standards are sorely lacking in the church today. Many so-called Christians boast of their moral standards and their righteous character, yet abandon their convictions when compromise is more beneficial and expedient. You may recognize some of the following. People say they believe the Bible, yet attend churches where the Bible isn’t taught. People agree that sin must be punished, but not if those sins are committed by their own children. People oppose dishonesty and corruption until they must confront their bosses and risk losing their jobs. People maintain high moral standards until their lusts are kindled by unscriptural relationships. People are honest until a little dishonesty will save them money. People hold a conviction until it is challenged by someone they admire or fear.

Sadly, such compromises are not exceptions. They have become the rule. But don’t think 21st century Christians are the only experts in the art of compromise. The Bible is full of people who compromised, including some very choice servants of God.

• Adam compromised God’s law, followed his wife’s sin, and lost paradise (Genesis 3:6, 22-24).

• Abraham compromised the truth, lied about Sarah’s relationship to him, and nearly lost his wife (Genesis 12:10-12).

• Sarah compromised God’s Word and sent Abraham to Hagar, who bore Ishmael and destroyed peace in the Middle East (Genesis 16:1-4, 11-12).

• Moses compromised God’s command and lost the privilege of entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-12).

• Samson compromised his devotion as a Nazirite and lost his strength, his eyesight and his life (Judges 16:4-6, 16-31).

• Solomon compromised his convictions, married foreign wives, and lost the united kingdom (1 Kings 11:1-8).

• Judas compromised his supposed devotion for Christ for 30 pieces of silver and was separated from Christ eternally (Matthew 26:20-25, 47-49; 27:1-5; John 17:12).

In every case the effect of the compromise was to lose something valuable in exchange for something temporary and unfulfilling. The Christian faith teaches that you can gain something valuable (your salvation and relationship with Christ) in exchange for something worthless (your sin and self-righteousness). Note what was compromised in each of these examples: either God’s Word, a command from God or a conviction about God. The true price of compromise is the rejection of God’s truth.

How can you and I avoid compromise and stand for the truth? Several steps are necessary.

Believe the truth. The Apostle Paul said, “I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and that is written in the prophets” (Acts 24:14). The Bible is inspired by God. It is God-breathed. We can trust it.

Memorize the Scriptures. Psalm 119 verse 11 reads, “Thy Word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” It is not enough to hear the Word. It must be treasured within the heart.

Meditate on the truth. Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land. He said, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:8). Saturate your mind with the Bible.

Study the Scriptures. Paul urged Timothy to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Obey it. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28). Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine” (John 8:31). It does no good to believe the word, memorize it, meditate on it and study it if you don’t obey it.

Defend the Bible. The truth will always be attacked. We must be ready to defend it. Jude, the half-brother of Jesus said, “Contend earnestly for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints” (verse 3).

Live the truth. Having a mind controlled by the Word of God produces godly behavior (Colossians 3:16). Paul said, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

Proclaim it. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations….” (Matthew 28:19).

The great Old Testament leader, Ezra, “set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach God’s statutes and ordinances” (Ezra 7:10). He knew the Bible was not a resource for truth but the divinely revealed source of truth. It is not a supplementary text but the only text. Its truths are not optional but mandatory. The pastor’s purpose is not to make Scripture relevant to his people but to enable them to understand doctrine, which becomes the foundation of their spiritual living.

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org.