When building a house, it is very important to follow a plan and use approved materials and methods. Some builders choose to use inferior materials or did not follow approved methods. Later on their unscrupulous shortcuts were discovered. It was too late to try and cover it up. Their name was tarnished and their reputation ruined.

Even if they were to go back and correct the problems, it was too late to try and save their reputation. They had compromised and could no longer be trusted to do a good job. Most likely, others will hear about it quickly and it may even appear in the local newspaper.

This situation reminds me of a spiritual matter. The Bible gives believers clear guidelines as to how Christians are to live. It is sad to find so many claiming to be following the Lord, yet they do so little of what God said to do.

For instance, the Bible tells believers to do the following:

1. Go to church (Hebrews 10:25)

2. Get baptized

3. Give the tithe to the church

4. Abstain from being like the world (I John 2:14,15)

5. Read your Bible daily

6. Tell others about Jesus

7. Love God

8. Husbands – love your wife (and vice versa)

9. Train your children to follow God (you cannot do this well if they are not in church!)

10. Quench not the Spirit

Now, I am not thing to be mean or unkind, but those who think that their compromises will not be noticed by God are only fooling themselves. Like the builders that think their shortcuts will not be noticed – everything will be exposed at the Judgment Seat of Christ! He always sees what we do or fail to do! On that day you will reap exactly what you have sown – and there will not be any way to undo it!

Although none of us can change what we have done in the past, we can change how we will live from this day forward. If these thoughts from God’s Word have spoken to your heart, why not talk to our gracious Father right now and get forgiven for failing do do His will. Stop compromising. Then, ask Him for wisdom and strength do start doing things His way – without excuses. He will gladly give you the grace you need to obey Him – and then you will be glad to reap a better reward in eternity.