When Standing at the Corner of Compromise?

Recently Sharon and I took a leisurely afternoon drive to Berne Indiana to one of our favorite Amish restaurants and a street sign caught my attention. Normally I am not a reader of street signs I drive most often by landmarks (drive past Chuckie Cheese turn right to the high school turn left and the church is on the right). This sign caught my eye – I had never seen a street named “Compromise” Main Street – yes. First Street yes, Maple Street yes, Washington Street – yes but never in all my travels a “Comprise Street” (there is one in Annapolis Md). The thought of “Comprise Street” captivated my thinking I began to research where di this name come from? While I was unsuccessful in uncovering this mystery I did find some possible ideas to speculate on. Berne settled by some Swiss Mennonite immigrants in the mid 1800’s. The railroad brought other various religious faiths and nationalities both English and German speaking. Sixteen families in 1849 former the Baumgartner congregation. By 1852 it had grown and with the growth came division and the Baumgartner congregation split into three groups differing on various applications of scripture. Compromise Street is just a few blocks north of the First Mennonite Church – the largest Mennonite church in the US. Hmm…. Could that be where Compromise Street got its name? Division is not unique to any denomination nor are any exempt since the early church in the new testament the old nature of man has kept in the most sound churches and today that is still the same. But that is not the thought that captivated me rather “personal convictions and compromise” Compromise is not a bad word. Compromise is defined as “ A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions” Life is impossible without compromise the question is not “if” I should but “when’ I should compromise. When you find yourself at the corner of “Compromise” in life where do you turn? The Bible. There are times the Bible actually instructs us to compromise. Christians are not to be bull headed or I want it my way type of people. Lovingly and humbly we are to consider others above ourselves. Romans 14 teaches us to ‘compromise” in areas of debatable areas of conduct. Note the limitation of “compromise’ – is what is clearly taught in scripture 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” That is my friend when one finds themselves at the corner of life’s highway and compromise with God’s truth! Life’s decisions are not to be made like the game “Paper, Rock, Scissors – where any of the three can win but the Word of God always trumps whatever other reasoning we try to offer. When you find yourself are the corner of “Compromise Street” and the Highway of life turn to the Word of God and stand firm on it!