Rev. 3:15-16 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Labels are often helpful. "Bush’s Country Style Baked Beans" is a good label to me. Back in my college days we cleaned houses that apparently were stocked for the next depression. Many good looking cans had no labels. Those cans were tossed out.
We label groups as Fundamental, Liberal, Modernists, or Compromisers.
Dr. Jack Hyles said there are 2 words a Christian ought never use. He said to cut them out of your dictionary. They are easy to find cause they are close to each other in the dictionary and they both start with a ‘K’ - quit and compromise.
Even in so-called Fundamentalist groups there is great variation.
Many have removed ‘the ancient landmark.’ Prov. 22:28
Some believe in the verbal inspiration of scripture but have close fellowship and cooperate with those who don’t.
They believe in the second coming, but make no definite statement as to a pre-tribulation rapture or a premillenial coming.
They say they believe in separation but apparently never read John R. Rice’s book on "What is Wrong with the Movies."
They go to the cocktail party but say they don’t drink the hard stuff and go only to be a witness.
The trumpet then gives an uncertain sound. I Cor. 14:8
Look at Mt. 12:30.
Jesus did not want there to be any question about our being His servants.
The word "pussyfooting" is often used. The dictionary says that means "to avoid committing oneself to making one’s position clear".
That generally is what every politician does. They seek a broad base of support, but that should not be the practice of those who call themselves Christian.
In Mt. 12 Jesus set forth the compromise of the religious leaders and some of the woeful fruit of their compromise.
Mt. 12:33 speaks of corrupt fruit.
There is at least 3 kinds of fruit in the Christian life.
1. Works Mt. 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that..."
2. Souls Prov. 11:33 "The fruit of the righteous..."
3. Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit..." The first of the 9-fold fruit is a favorite of compromisers. The kind of love they speak of however is not the kind brought forth by the Holy Spirit because the love that is brought forth from the Holy Spirit will never go contrary to the clear teaching of the Word of God.
The love of the Spirit:
-rebukes an erring brother. Gal. 2:11
-speaks the truth Eph. 4:15
-obeys the Lord John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
-separates from the unequal yoke. II Cor. 6:14-17
C.I. Scofield - "Separation is not from contact with evil in the world but from complicity with and conformity to it."
Heb. 7:26 says Christ was ‘separate from sinners.’
Rewards of practicing separation included in the II Cor. passage include:
-unhindered communion
-unhindered worship
-fruitful service
Not practicing separation does not make us lost, but hinders our service.
Love that constantly glosses over evil, that never speaks out against disobedience and compromise is corrupt fruit.
Look at Mt. 12:34-35. Here is the fruit of Evil Works.
We do not question that many of the compromising element do good and has lasting results, but much of their works are evil and often profit no one but themselves.
Titus 3:8 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."
Notice Mt. 12:35.
The source of these good works is to be the heart. Not only are our works important, but so is the motive behind them.
So much is done today with the wrong motive.
Music is written and recorded, books are written and published, seminars and conferences are organized and conducted either as ego trips or for financial gain.
When a Christian writer, speaker or singer has to have a booking agent and a public relations team they are seeking profit for themselves and are a part of evil works.
Oftentimes an activity may be right and the motive wrong. None of us doubt that an evangelistic campaign is good. To see souls saved and backsliders reclaimed is certainly good. But when an evangelist insists on the support of the neo-evangelicals and Bible compromisers, calls on unbelievers to lead in prayer, or uses unsaved folks and worldly Christians as counselors in order to reach the lost, he is engaging in evil works.
-David sought to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. II Sam. 6:1-7 Isn’t that fantastic? It had been down at Abinadab’s house. But on the way home at Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah was smitten dead. The church today is full of Philistine ways of doing service to Christ.
David used the methods of the world and it ended in disaster.
Notice again, Mt. 12:36-37.
"Idle" is non-working.
They may not be morally wrong, but they are morally useless.
Ps. 55:21 "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords."
They often cry "Be tolerant." But they are not tolerant of me.
Paul did not always tell the people what they wanted to hear.
I Cor. 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
I Cor. 2:4 "and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power."
Paul warned Timothy "...that they strive not about words to no profit..." II Tim. 2:14
Notice again, Mt. 12:38-42.
We have a great group of compromisers with us today seeking signs.
They must have visions, speak in tongues, see healings, get prophecies, and have experiences that they place on the same level with God’s Word.
Oftentimes if someone has these type of experiences they are accepted as a Christian regardless of their doctrine.
"ECT" is almost unbelievable. But it is growing.
Mt. 12:39-40 gives the only sign Jesus gave to an unbelieving world.
It is the sign of the resurrection.
We don’t need the shroud of Turin, the Ark on Ararat, a waffle with Mary in it, the ashes of a Red Heifer, or the healing of a man.
We have faith! II Cor. 5:7
The empty tomb was enough!
Rom. 10:9 is plain. "That if thou shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
The seeking of signs is sure compromise.
Again, notice Mt. 12:43-45.
If you are compromising by engaging in worldly activities, being in a neo-evangelical church, cooperating with disobedient brethren, you can still lead someone to Christ, but what you allow in moderation they will excuse in excess.
When an evangelists has ‘testimonies’ from compromising politicians, night club entertainers, use music that sounds like the world, and then send the ‘inquirers’ back to churches who do not hold to the Word of God, is it any wonder that there is no evidence of change? No wonder they don’t get into a solid, Bible preaching church.
Compromise has no end.
Just be out and out for God.
Don’t smudge the paper.
Leave no question about your Christianity.
If the Lord does not come before then, I will die someday. I hope a few folks are concerned. If you are still here, don’t be too sorrowful. I’ll be better off than you. Bury me and go on serving Christ! But I hope someone says, "You may not always have agreed with him, but he was out and out for Christ. He believed the Bible is the Word of God."
Quit dallying with the devil and worldliness. Leave the questionable things alone. I have too many good things to read and do to be involved with that which is doubtful.
Rom. 14:23 "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Leave behind the love of self and draw of the World.
Rick Warren does not hold to an infallible Word of God. I have no time for him.
The Rock and Country musicians don’t go on church soul-winning visitation - I don’t want their advice.
The lodges don’t use the name of Jesus so as not to offend anyone. I am not going to join with them.
Many, no, most churches have long since dropped saying anything about modesty and godly dress. I am not a part of them.
I get invitations constantly to take young people to hear some so-called ‘Christian’ musician whose picture has the rebellious look of current entertainers. They may go, but I am not taking them.
Many of the churches yoke up for an ecumenical service a time or 2 a year to promote whatever and lay aside all doctrine for that night. You may skip church and go. Don’t look for me there.
Just be out and out for the Lord Jesus Christ..