We all understand what it means to compromise. It is giving in so there can be an agreement. The definition is “an agreement or a settlement of a dispute, that is reached by each side making concessions.”
To retreat means to pull back, or drawback, because the enemy is winning. There may be times when compromise is necessary to settle a disagreement for the better of the whole. If there are situations where decisions need to be made, but the two options are a matter of preference, not of right and wrong, then go for it. There are times to retreat because you need to regroup to continue to press forward, but retreating or compromising are not options when fighting for what is right.
There are certain things in our life that we need to determine are non-negotiable. Our stand for God must be the main one. Our stand for Christ is what everything else in our life is built upon.
Many churches in our world today have compromised the gospel. There is absolutely no room for compromise on what the Bible says is right and wrong. We should never retreat. In I Corinthians 15, Paul is instructing the Corinthian church in the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He wants them to totally understand it was real, and that it is a non-negotiable part of the gospel. It was the principal part of the doctrine that made Christianity different from other religions. It proved Jesus to be either God in the flesh or a liar. Jesus proved he was God and had power over life and death by the resurrection.
These Corinthians were in danger of muddying the water of the gospel by not believing in the resurrection. Some were doubting it happened. Paul begins this sermon with the evidence of the resurrection in verses 1-11. He then gives its foundation in verses 12-19. He gives the results of the resurrection in verses 20-28. Now, he gets a little more personal in verses 29-34, when he shows the believers’ life as an argument for the resurrection. In verses 35- 49, he uses analogies to help them understand, and finally, he concludes with his exhortation in verse 58 to press forward.
I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
He instructs them to be strong and confident in their faith. Not a faith based on feelings, or thoughts, but based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He warns them that there will be temptations and battles that will come against them. That there will be many who will question their faith. However, they are to be “steadfast.” This is a directive to be firm and confident in their faith. The word alludes to sitting down. It is much harder to move someone sitting down than one standing up. They are to be “unmovable.” Absolutely nothing should be able to change what they believe, or how they respond to this truth. No temptation, philosophy, or trial of this life should change them.
This verse reminds me of the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3. A statue had been erected to honor Nebuchadnezzar, all were to bow before it and worship it when the music started. These three young men had made up their minds they would not bow and worship anyone, but the true and living God. They knew it could cost them their lives, but their determination was strong in the truth of God.
The King asked them if it was true they would not worship his gods or bow to his image. Their response was “yes!” They let him know that it was not a decision they made lightly, but they had resolved to do what was right.
Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
They had determined there would be no compromise, and they would not retreat. The same message that was given by the lives of the three Hebrew young men in Daniel, was true for those Paul was talking to in the Corinthian church. It is still true for modern-day Christians. We are to be steadfast and unmovable in our walk with Christ. What God calls sin is still sin. No matter what culture accepts or changes, our stand should not. If God is against it, we are to be against it also. We should not back down or sugarcoat sin. We should not use the excuse “nobody’s perfect.” While that is true, God expects us to strive for perfection. When we do there will be “NO COMPROMISE AND NO RETREAT.”
