I'm sure many of us have seen the old looney tunes cartoons. I loved them when I was growing up, especially the ridiculous situations they were put in. I also remember, in some of the winter cartoons, when a small snowball would be rolled down hill to become a great and mighty snow boulder that would usually roll up whoever was running from it, crushing them (quite literally) flat.
What makes me sad about this image, however, is that I see it over and over in people, who end up in situations where they feel the weight of the world bearing down on them, wondering how it came to that point. It all started with the tiny snowball of compromise. Our decisions all have consequences, and what may be a tiny compromise today could begin rolling down hill so hard and so huge and so fast, we may not be able to stop it. That's the nature of compromise. One thing becomes permissible, and, at first, it seems harmless, then the flood gates open, and there's little one can do to stop it. We see it in our individual lives, and we see the effects on society as a whole.
In our faith, it's no different. God's word is clear, He tells us what He desires of us, but, as with Adam and Eve in the Garden, Satan's biggest test is not murder or mayhem, but a simple question: "Did God really say that?" We question, we look at the word of God and say "That's just a metaphor," or "that was for that time, but not mine," or "That's not what it really means, does it?" And when we question, we allow for the enemy to sew further seeds of doubt. We get to a point of faith where we either ask "How did I get here," and ask God to rescue us from our own decisions (that happened to me), or we walk away from our faith entirely. Believe it or not, it begins with a tiny compromise, and one compromise can be (and usually is) the snowball that destroys us or crushes us flat.
Either the Bible is all true, or it isn't. Either it's God's book, or it's a fanciful book of ancient literature. It can't be true and a metaphor at the same time. Either God is who He says He is, or He doesn't exist. I will not compromise, I will stand upon the word of God until my dying day. I hope you will too.
Psalm 119:57-80 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!
You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!
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