The High Cost of Compromise

READ | 1 Kings 11:1-11

We all occasionally succumb to a case of the “I’d never-s”: I’d never cheat on my spouse, I’d never steal from an employer,

I’d never betray a friend, etc. While uttering the words, we are confident of living up to them. What believers often don’t realize is that the journey from I’d never to I did is made up of small steps, each one a compromise.

A young, spiritually fervent Solomon certainly would have said, “I’d never be a lust-driven slave to false gods.” Yet he ended his life with a multitude of wives and lovers who demanded his allegiance to their deities. Neglecting the laws and principles of the true God cost him dearly.

Solomon knew all the warnings against marrying foreigners: “They will turn your sons away from following [God] to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you” (Deut. 7:4). But the political advantages of an alliance with Egypt convinced him to compromise those high standards (1 Kings 3:1). The fact that God didn’t instantly react to his rebellion must have made rationalizing the next marriage even easier—after all, a nation was more secure if its king’s harem included daughters of potential enemies. But just as God foretold, Solomon’s thousand-strong harem lured his heart away. He broke a divine covenant and forfeited his family’s claim to Israel’s throne.

God’s commands are meant to protect us from sin and heartache. Compromise can look tempting and even advantageous, but taking one step off the high road makes the next step even easier.


From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

A Strong Witness

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
-Acts 4:13 (NIV)

ONE miracle recorded in the book of Acts is the healing of a crippled beggar. Peter and John spoke words of faith in Jesus Christ, and the man began to walk and leap. This miracle provided the opportunity for Peter to boldly proclaim the message of salvation to those who looked on. When the authorities recognized that Peter and John "had been with Jesus," they wanted to silence their powerful testimony. It was evident that these common, uneducated men personally knew Jesus, by whose power the lame man was healed.

Since I am one who knows Christ, it is my desire and responsibility to share the gospel message with others. It is not my education or speaking ability but my relationship with the Savior that enables me to share my faith with conviction. The time I spend with Christ in prayer and Bible study strengthens me and gives me confidence to speak out. A bold testimony of my personal faith can bring the miracle of new life to another. Will my life be evidence that I, too, have been with Jesus?


Prayer
Lord, help us arrange our daily activities in order to spend time with you. By your grace, equip us to share the gospel courageously. Amen.


From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Cathy Thomas