Why is compromise acceptable in the foreign field? What a loaded question. Is compromise right or is it wrong? Or maybe its subjective? The simple answer is that compromise is wrong, period. Compromise is also not subjective although some practice it as though it were. In my dealing with U.S. Independent Fundamental Baptist ministries and churches I have run into many situations where that compromise does indeed exist. In order to understand why compromise is wrong abroad one has to understand (or remember) why we believe what we believe as well as remember what it took to get us where we are as Independent Fundamental Baptists. The Independent Fundamental Baptists in this country and abroad paid a great price and suffered and actually continue to suffer for the Biblical position we have chosen to practice. While we do not trace our roots physically we can trace or roots in practice. Throughout the years we chose to do it Biblically which interpreted means doing it right. Could it have been easier? Yes. Would it have been right? Absolutely not. I as well as many missionaries could have had it easier having a convention mission organization get us to the field without the labors of deputation. Many pastors could have walked into a fully funded work. All it would have required is that we disobey God’s Word as well as forsake the convictions that we hold dear. Its as simple as that.
We have chosen to do right rather than to compromise. In the U.S. we do not tolerate compromise in our circles and usually do not fellowship with those who do. Why? Because it would be wrong. We tell people that we understand that it may be difficult to do it the right way, but that should not affect our decisions. We will call people evangelicals and other names to differentiate them from us. That is until we deal with the foreign field. You see, we have many U.S. ministries, mission projects, missionaries, foreign nationals, etc. which we support who practice the very compromise that our predecessors rejected. We will use the excuse that “its different over there”. Or perhaps “we have to do it that way due to their government”. But wasn’t it once different over here? Didn’t some of the early fundamentalists have to work in spite of the government? Will we not again? Or will be use the excuse of compromise?
Okay so now comes the question. Why am I writing this? It is to warn sound Independent Fundamental churches that they are going against all we believe in and for the sake of good pictures, titillating prayer letters, and possible misguided intentions funding works that should not be funded. They will do this rather than seek out those that are willing to pay the price that our predecessors paid. Will they have as large ministries as the others? The answer is probably not. Will they run 12 buses and have hundreds of so-called converts every month? Again the answer is no. We are caught in the bang for the buck mentality. A good example of our misguided emotion driven zeal is obvious at Mission Conferences. It has oftentimes been reduced to presentations about shrunken heads and swollen bellies with reports of innumerable converts converted by the great white hope with lots of money.
So what’s wrong with that? The answer is everything. It’s about genuinely preaching God’s Word. It’s about genuinely doing things God’s way. It’s about trying to genuinely duplicate God’s plan for the local church. So the question remains. Do we continue to fund things that look good or do we start supporting things that are good? Now we are back to the subjective you might say. But are we really? Is doing God’s work God’s way subjective now? If so we are in far greater trouble than we can imagine.
What’s the crux? We need to be as faithful in reaching people God’s way with God’s Word no matter what else changes in this world. Forget about the impressive stories and focus on winning souls and teaching them the way God would have it done. If compromise is wrong here then it wrong there no matter where there is. I know that some will be offended as their toes may have been stepped on, but that’s okay. God never told us to hold back on His truth so as to not offend. My intention is not to offend intentionally. Regrettably some will be offended just the same. We have invested much erroneously in the same of “big results” rather than in the name of “obedience”. So next time someone tells you to get involved in a ministry that “does it different and has to compromise” make sure to remember that compromise is a choice. Compromising may make things less painful for them, but its also sin. Lets be sure to invest in solid investments and not in flashy entertaining ones. Ease of work should not be the determining factor of what we tolerate. If they are not willing to take a stand for right wherever they work then just what are they doing for God?
Tags: compromise, Missions, nationals
Well said, Brother. I hope to comment more next week when not so pressed for time as I am today, but wanted to encourage you.
I AGREE