Consequences of Compromise.

There will undoubtedly, always be consequences in the wake of any compromise; none greater than when that compromise is in the political or religious realm. However, when compromise is reflected in both these areas simultaneously, then the consequence takes on a very potent edge.

Now to put this into the present context; any political party that turns away from a former, aspired spiritual or scriptural principle, cannot realistically expect continued support from evangelicals. Christians will become, perplexed and offended at compromise of this sort, which, they feel undermines the authority of the Word of God. It is foolish, for any political party to expect God's people to support hypocrisy; it is precisely in this context where the DUP would do well to reflect before they compromise any further at Stormont.

There is another plane, where the consequences of compromise are all too painful; it is to the realm of church, to which I allude here. When any church is linked in any way to scandal, then the testimony of that church is brought into critical focus; though many in that church may be appalled at the scandal that prevails, they are themselves, implemented in some way by association and feel the stigma of reproach. The scandal in the Catholic Church in Ireland reflects this very point; there are countless catholics offended and hurt by what has happened, and rightly so. It is patently obvious that when any Christian denomination compromises Biblical principle, then they cannot expect support from their membership or sympathy from other Christians. Compromise of Scriptural testimony will always be met with ruinous consequences.

The Free Presbyterian Church, once renowned for its separatist stand against compromise, ecumenism and apostasy would do well to reflect on its present compromised position. When it called for days of prayer and fasting to oppose political power sharing in the past, how can it now expect its members to support a complete compromise of its former position; this compromise makes a mockery of the scriptural separation which they had imbibed from the pulpit. It is mind blowing, to try to understand any church that preached, 'come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord', and then to be found, itself, compromising that self same message. Does this not leave its members and supporters deeply confused and divided? Silence from its pulpits, as compromise runs through its foundations, will hardly bring stability in the pews.

This double edged sword of compromise has hurt, scarred, offended and discouraged many evangelicals, not only in Ulster but further a field. Evangelicals in general, certainly this writer in particular, cannot support such regrettable compromise, which leads to ruin and surrender of every principle that God's people hold dear.

Yours in Christ,
Mervyn Cotton (Heb 13 : 6 )