June 27th, 2021: Compromise is A Dangerous Game
It is interesting to see how marketing strategy has changed with time. It was not too long ago, consumers would learn about what is in the products they bought. Nowadays, sellers tell us what is not in them when considering the options. Consumers' needs and perceptions of good products have changed indeed.
Somehow I have the feeling that politicians have used the same approach. Many of them have been very happy to tell people what they are not about and not very clear on what they stand for. For example, we have no idea how the American Government wants to deal with illegal migrant issues. In Canada, the message about the development and the use of our natural resources is unclear more than ever before.
The Christian church, in general, is not doing any better. Many denominations have joined the mainline culture in the fight against racism, injustice, poverty, and sexual inequality. When talking about the authority of the Bible, things are not as clear for some of them. We have witnessed a gradual decline in the commitment of the scripture. So what are we about in terms of dealing with human spiritual conditions? The answer is unclear from some of the religious leaders of our time.
Coke changed its formula and introduced New Coke in1985 and found out that it was a disastrous attempt to fight for its market share against Pepsi. They brought the old formula back (Coke Classic) 87 days after they introduced New Coke. The church needs to be aware of the compromise of her faith while trying to be relevant to the culture. The evidence we have seen is some denominations have been diminished altogether because of the compromising choices. They disappeared in an attempt to be relevant. Those who stay close to the essentiality of the message find themselves thriving. Fighting on behalf of the poor and the oppressed doesn't mean that we have the solutions for human suffering. It means that we are learning how to identify with Christ in this world.
2 Corinthians 4: 2
"But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."
1 John 4: 1
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."