IS IT BETTER TO MAKE A SMALL COMPROMISE IN YOUR FAITH OR GET FIRED?

Last week I heard about a US Marine who was court-martialed for hanging a scripture verse on her computer monitor. When her supervisor told her to take the verse down, Lance Corporal Sterling refused. She was convicted and given a bad conduct discharge. Her case went before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services last week. There are a lot of strong opinions on all sides of this case. But opinions aside, it got me thinking about the idea of standing up for my constitutional rights versus giving in to the desires of those around me (be they an authority, peer, or otherwise). I wondered what I would do if I were faced with the decision to compromise my faith in order to obey an authority.  

A lot of us Christians can identify with this kind of dilemma. We have read in the Bible that we are supposed to be peacemakers and we are raised to be "nice" to everyone. We think it is somehow wrong to cause any kind of tension or be disagreeable with those around us. After all, doesn't the Bible say not to stir up conflict? And if it is someone in authority over us, doesn't the Bible teach that we should obey them? So, what are we supposed to do when an authority tells us to do something that goes against what the Bible tells us to do? Or what do we do when the practice of our faith offends people and causes conflict with those around us? Is it better to make small compromises rather than jeopardize your job or good relationships with your co-workers? Wouldn't God rather we don't cause conflict at our jobs to make sure we are able to continue taking care of our families and be a responsible adults?

Fortunately, we are not the first Christians to face this problem. In the Old Testament, Daniel disobeyed the law by praying to God; he was punished by being fed to lions. However, God saved him by not allowing the lions to eat him. Paul, in the New Testament book of Acts is another example of a Christian who caused a lot of conflict because he disobeyed an authority. The high priest ordered Paul not to preach about Jesus Christ; Paul responded by saying that God had told him to preach and that he "must obey God rather than human beings." Both of these stories are of men who disobeyed mans' laws when they came in direct contradiction with their devotion to God. It would have been very easy for them to make a small compromise and avoid the conflict but they chose to hold to their beliefs very faithfully. This definitely caused tension and resulted in jail time and a death sentence (in Daniel's case). But regardless of the earthly consequences, it was the right thing to do.

What will you do when faced with this kind of dilemma? If you faithfully follow the Lord with all your being, there may come a time when the practice of your faith comes in direct contradiction with the culture or laws around you. Who will you follow? Will you only follow Christ when it is easy or do you truly trust him and believe that his ways are best, even at the cost of your job, reputation, or life?

Can you imagine what you will think and feel about this when you die and stand before the Lord? What will you wish you had decided and done then?
       

Written By: Jonathan N, May 2, 2016

To ensure you don't miss future posts, subscribe by entering your email address into the block labeled "follow by email" on the top right hand side of this page.    

Did you miss these recent posts:

WHY BEING A "GOOD" CHRISTIAN MIGHT BE DANGEROUS

DO YOU TRUST GOD ENOUGH TO LIVE LIKE IT?

DO YOU EFFECTIVELY LOVE AND INFLUENCE THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH?

HOW DO YOU SPIRITUALLY PREPARE FOR A NEW CHAPTER IN LIFE?

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net