Have you ever heard this phrase, “for the greater good.” Of course you have, it means for the benefit of the public. Meaning putting aside your differences to help others. On the outside this sounds wonderful, but now I am hearing this from many Christians churches and organizations. They are seeking the greater good and thus compromising their values so more people can be helped. It sounds wonderful but as Christians, we cannot ever allow the Word of God to be compromised.

 

When we start compromising for the greater good, we begin to mess with the simple message of the Gospel. We begin to complicate the message of Jesus. Yes, you have done wrong, but I died and rose from the grave to forgive you, because you needed a savior, and I want to be even more than that, be your best friend and be there for you always.

 

The problem is when you start to compromise the Gospel of Jesus, give a pass on this, or let this or that go for a while. it becomes easier and easier to get away from Jesus’ teachings. Not only do we lead those who do not understand about Jesus away, we lead ourselves away from the life Jesus wants us to have.

 

Why do so many think Christianity is fake, or powerless, or just a thing, because they do not see Jesus moving among Christians like in the Bible or in book of Acts. I get told so many times by non-believers to show them that this is real. Why doesn’t Jesus do what He did in the Bible? They have a valid point. The thing is Jesus does want to do all of that still today.

 

When Christians compromise the Bible, God will not move in their lives anymore. It has gotten so bad that most American churches believe the gifts of God have died out. If God has lost His power, then we are on the wrong side. I have Good News God has not lost His power to do anything no matter what any theologian will tell you. Just because someone says God cannot or won’t do this anymore does not keep God from doing His thing. But if we do not believe God will, He won’t. When we compromise the Bible to fit on for the greater good, we are saying to God, Your word is not good enough anymore and that is a dangerous place to be.

 

Why did Jesus move so powerfully in Acts, because they simply did what Jesus said and never compromised for the greater good. Jesus honored them for that. If you want God to move in your life, live like they did. Yes, people will not understand. They will think you are not loving. They will mock you. They will even threaten you. They will try to make your life miserable for serving Jesus. They will say you are irrelevant, not with the times. And more.

 

This is hard. I love this quote from the movie A league of their own, “If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great.”

 

Jesus knows that on the outside this may look difficult and compromising for the greater good looks like the right move, but it is not. Jesus wants to show up and make living for Him GREAT! He proved it. All of this and more happened daily to the believers in Acts. It looked hard. But God showed up and backed them up every time! Because they never got off message, they never compromised anything about Jesus. They never backed down. What is the proof? Everywhere they went more people came to know Jesus. These people saw all the threats against the believers and yet they came to know Jesus, why? Because the saw what Jesus did for those who did not compromise. Jesus showed up in mighty ways for the believers that all could see. They saw how great a life with Jesus was.

 

Jesus still wants to do that today. He needs people that will stand up and not compromise. A great darkness is falling over the land (Isaiah 60:1-3). But Jesus says His light shines in the darkness (John 1:1-5). He wants to shine through you. You want to see if Christianity is really worth it. If you already know that that is so great, share! People need to hear that. If not, Jesus wants to show you in a real way that means something to you. He knows what will make it real to you. Make a stand. Do not compromise a thing. Then watch the miracles of the Bible come alive in your life for all to see.

 

God does miracles for 2 reasons. First and foremost, to confirm to you, that standing with Jesus is the best thing you can ever do. And yes, we need that confirmation. He wants to encourage you because we are all human, and there is always that thing in the back of our mind, am I on the right team? God wants to let you know you are with no doubts.

 

Second, God does miracles for those who stand for Him to show those who come against you, that you are loved and protected, and for those who watch, that they both can have this in their life because Jesus loves them too.

 

The time is now for those who say they are Christians to decide if they really are. Those who compromise are in a dangerous place, those who do not will find the joy of the Lord in their life more than they ever thought possible.

 

Jesus is not the greater good, He is THE GREATEST GOOD ever! All He wants to have with you is an amazing relationship and to spend eternity with you in heaven.

 

So, when someone say we are serving the greater good, ask yourself, is this what Jesus would think is good, because if not, it is actually serving the greater evil.

 

We need to be a people of principle. That is hard, but like in the Bible and especially Acts, God shows up when we decide to stand on His principles no matter what.

You want revival in your life, your church be what Jesus asked you to be and watch Him show up in all His glory time and time again.

 

Remember Jesus loves and cares for you, I love and care for you, and you are awesome!