Am I a compromiser?

I heard an interesting but I believe true statement yesterday from one of my favorite pastors Johnny Hunt. Gave me something to think about. Here is the quote:



"We have many compromising churches today because we don't want to be treated like Christ!"



Wow take a moment to think about this. The only way the church can be compromising is if its members are compromising! The ask yourself...do I really want to be treated like Jesus? Our first thought may be well no I don't. Who would? I understand that thought myself but lets look at what Jesus told His followers:



John 15:18-25



The World’s Hatred

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’



Jesus makes some things very clear to us. First, the world will hate us because it hated Him. Second, we are not to be of this world. Third, they persecuted Jesus and if we are following like we should be the world will persecute us also. Why did the world hate Jesus because He showed them their sin. Why will the world hate us because we are to show them their sin but also show they a way out of their sin. Most do not like when you point out their sin...remember we have to do this in a loving way. It is not judging but teaching what the Word of God says.



So we must end with this tough question for ourselves....am I compromising? Do I desire the worlds friendship more than following and obeying my Lord? I don't know about you but I must admit this kinda stings when I think about it. I can and must do better. Time for me to do a little praying!



Tom