Just a Step

As we humans are flawed and subject to holding incorrect beliefs or opinions at times, where do we draw the line in the sand with regards to our lifestyle and morality? At what point must we say, “This far and no farther?”

It is not good to be stubborn while in error, but I doubt any of us would consider our own beliefs to be in error. Being resolute for the truth is a good thing, but as stated before, we are all subject to being wrong sometimes.

The best thing we as individuals can do is to refuse to compromise what we believe to be the truth. This is not saying that we should be set in our ways and unwilling to change anything, (like the church of Laodicea), but that we should cling fiercely to a belief so long as we are fully convinced in our own mind that it is the truth. 

We who consider ourselves servants of the Almighty are still going to have differences of belief from each other in some areas, because though we are on the same road to the kingdom, we are not necessarily at the same point on that road. God works with each one of us as an individual. “From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works” (Psalms 33:14‭-‬15, NKJV). It is my opinion that this is the reason we are told not to judge/condemn our brothers in Christ. I encourage you to read Romans chapter 14 about this subject.

Now, getting back to the truth… “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:47‭-‬48, NKJV).

Projected ignorance is not an excuse to keep from doing what we know to be right. We cannot deceive God--He looks at the thoughts and intent of the heart. We have a duty to serve our King with our whole heart! If there is something that we know we can do better, we have an obligation to follow through with it. A shining example of this is the congregation in Berea, who: “…received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11, NKJV). 

We should not be afraid to listen to ideas that seem foreign to us. If after thorough and careful study of the scriptures and asking for guidance from the Father we are found to be in error, GREAT! Now we have grown in the grace and knowledge of the truth! If, on the other hand, the verdict is that the new idea is wrong and we were already correct, GREAT! Now, through studying the scriptures, we are more ready to give an answer of the hope that lies within us!  It’s a win–win! The truth will stand. “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21, NKJV).

This does not necessarily mean that we must take a serious look at whatever fruity idea we may encounter. There are many subjects that do not matter for our walk with God, and unless you just enjoy a mental exercise, they are a waste of time.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness” (II Timothy 2:15‭-‬16, NKJV). 

Once we are fully convinced of a moral/religious issue we must never, ever, compromise our beliefs to try to gain something. For example, If we believe it is wrong to go to work on the Sabbath, we must not give in to pressure, even if promised $100,000,000. It is not worth it. Compromising never is. 

Whatever we stand to gain in this life is entirely insignificant when weighed against eternal life!  

But what if you would use the money for good? What if by temporarily changing when you keep the holy days you can finally acquire a spouse? Do the ends justify the means?  

To answer this question, let us look at the example of our Messiah when Satan tempted Him. “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him” (Matthew 4:8‭-‬11, NKJV). 

Talk about a wasted opportunity! Think of it! Christ could have been reigning on this earth for the last two thousand years. He could have stopped all the wars and famines and tears from that time till this at only at the cost of bowing before the Adversary. It seems such a trivial price to pay for such great gain, and yet Yeshua declined the offer. 

He was thinking about the big picture–the grand plan set forth from the beginning of time. When He came to the earth two thousand years ago it was not to deliver mankind from evil physically, but it was a spiritual victory–the deliverance of His people from eternal death. Had He given in to the pressure of the Adversary and bowed before him, then He would have broken the commandment which He quoted, thus defiling Himself as our spotless Lamb and sabotaging the grand plan of redemption.  We would do well to follow His example and keep our future of eternal life in mind when asking ourselves if it is acceptable to compromise the truth. 

There is nothing to be gained in this life that is worth jeopardizing the next. Not a job, house, fame, fortune, spouse, or even life itself. All these things are temporary and you can’t take any of them with you when you die, and die you will!

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10, NKJV).

May our King grant to all of us the wisdom and strength to never compromise!