“Compromise”

What is compromise?

Is it always a good thing?

First, let us take a look at what it means.

Compromise:

1 a : settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions

   b : something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things

2 : a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial <a compromise of principles>

   (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compromise)

We hear this word used quite a bit today. I believe in most cases, it is a good thing. We should teach our children to “compromise” with their friends when they fight over a toy,  or turn on the slide. If co-workers have different ideas about a thing, they can usually “compromise” and come to an agreeable, productive solution. Divorced parents really need to “compromise” on such things as visitation for the weekends and holidays, etc.

What about our integrity? Is it ever okay to “compromise” here?

Once again, let us look at what Mirriam-Webster has to say on integrity.

Integrity:

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility

2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness

3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

   (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity?show=0&t=1298734317)

For application here, we will use “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility “.

“Firm adherence” and “incorruptibility,” I really like the way that sounds.

It gives the impression of finality, strength, never changing-stability.

We hear today that one should do whatever necessary for the boss and/or company. “After all, they sign our paycheck,” or “everyone does it.”  The excuses may run into how we have four hungry mouths to feed, and the list goes on. We can rationalize anything; sometimes justifiably so; but the question we must address is, is it the right thing to do?

Let me issue a serious warning here; if we ever “compromise” our “integrity” in our workplace or dealings with others, we will be asked time and time again to do so. If we do it once, it will be hard to argue that we won’t do it again. We have lost our “integrity.”

Think about the collapse of Enron, and so many other respected companies, banks, and people. Businessmen and corporations are not the only ones. How many politicians have been burned because they “compromised” their “integrity?” 

If we question whether this behavior is acceptable, let us take a look at the scriptures to see what God says about “compromise” and “integrity.”

¹ Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷ But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; ¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  -Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus could have said, “from now on, I will not over charge anyone.” He was repentant for what he had done and sought to not only change his business practice, but restore to those he had wronged.

The following verses (11-27) also address “compromise” and “integrity.”

Of course I cannot conclude without looking at Jesus response to paying taxes.

²⁴ When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”
²⁵ He said, “Yes.”
And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”
²⁶ Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”
Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. ²⁷ Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”    –Matthew 17:24-27

²⁰ So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.
²¹ Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: ²² Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
²³ But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? ²⁴ Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”
They answered and said, “Caesar’s.”
²⁵ And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
²⁶ But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent. –Luke 20:20-26

We desperately need to look for God’s way in everything we do. Jesus “compromised” on the paying of taxes (He should not have had to pay taxes), but

He never “compromised” His “integrity.”

When it comes to God’s Word and salvation, there is no “compromise”-EVER!  

We need to follow the example Christ lay before us.