No Compromise
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
As I understood Pastor George Robertson's sermon "No Compromise" the words Paul was inspired to write to the Corinthians and to us mean that we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are not to get ourselves into agreements and contracts with unbelievers in which we must compromise with regard to what is right and wrong.  He mentioned how a Christian once came to Tertullian and complained that if he kept God's Word then he would lose his livelihood.  And he said "I must live."  And Tertullian said "Must you?"

I found reference to this same quotation today in another sermon by another preacher:

A silversmith who had spent his life making idols came to Christ, the story goes, and realized his vocation contradicted his new faith in Jesus. “Tertullian,” he cried to the second century church father, “if I stop making idols, I have no way to provide for my family. How can we live?”

   “Must you live?” Tertullian asked the silversmith.

   In Tertullian’s day, if one would not die for Jesus, he was not ready to live for the Lord. In our day, at least let our words match how we live, for the world is watching.

http://www.gospelcom.net/
lpea/firstpriority/
fall2000/feature_reid.shtml

After the sermon I searched for images that might have to do with compromise to find one to put to the right of this text and came to the image of this graph which indicates most Americans think their elected officials OUGHT to compromise on 'hot-button" issues.  In particular 57% of the American people polled think a Christian who believes abortion is the killing of innocent life OUGHT to compromise that 'religious' belief when it comes to their behavior as a public servant.  Likewise with regard to homosexuality, 60% of Americans believe a public official who thinks homosexuality ought to be outlawed ought to compromise that belief.

This sermon refers us also to these words "Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you as well."

This sermon, I pray, will encourage us to see that giving up the things of this world for our Lord Jesus is really not giving up anything at all.  Having Him as our Lord, Savior and King these things will be added as we need them and we certainly do not need anything if it involves compromising our faith to get them.

I didn't know much about Tertullian so I did some research about him.  He was given to supporting the heresy of Montanism later in his life and this heresy included the notion that the inspired prophet could "add" text to the Scriptures.  So although Tertullian was correct regarding compromise and his interpretation of Paul, here he erred regarding the canon being closed and in his interpretation of those passages which closed the canon to any further additions.

For a good defense of the 66 books of the Canon and an explanation of why the church will not compromise regarding this canon read the article from Probe Ministries.

Pastor Robertson's full sermon is available on audio cassette from the church tape ministry.  If you would like a full copy of it, I will purchase it and mail it to you upon email request.
This information comes from http://www.publicagenda.org/religionjpgs/Religion_Compromise_Chart.jpg

Tertullian as Depicted at this Website:

http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/tertullian.html

However, I do not support the views expressed at that website about Tertullian and Montanism.