folly (Photo credit: Leo Reynolds)

This is a personal testimony regarding compromise and folly.  The issue is large.  But I will strive to limit the words.

I had been a “leader” in a Church setting once.  This Church group had a social service outreach.  And as I administered its various functions I noticed that there were many compromises with truth within it.  It was in this setting that I came to understand that there was a whole lot of power and money to be made on the backs of those who have no money and no power.

Through the guise of helping man has made a violent mockery of charity.  And I am quite aware that this is a problem that will not be fixed in this place of testing.  We wait for the True Leader of True Charity to appear.  And under the singular rule of the Son of God we will see purity.

The source of corruption within all charities is compromise.  I was told I was far too black and white in my approach to leadership in that Church group.  And it was this aspect of my mind that caused me to resign.  I can’t say if it was wise to remove myself from the grip of such an endeavour.  For every dark room needs a light to see. (I am not praising myself here as you will see.)

I make full confession here that I am a fool.  Now the reason I say that is that I am not adept at the art of social compromise as most people are.  That is why I am also a loner, or perhaps better said a social isolationist.  I cannot compete in the games the world demands we play.  So I opt out of as many of those games as I possibly can.

There are wise men who can play the games with a bend toward righteousness.  But I am not one of them.  Because of my straight forward approach to what is true I often get into arguments with almost everyone.  I will say it again so that there is no misunderstanding, “I am not a righteous man because of my approach.”  There is no one righteous, not one.  And I am not writing this to make myself into something I am not.

With that forward I will now launch into what prompted me to write this in the first place.

Though I am often put to great sadness because of my lack of wisdom in the affairs of men.  And though I am bruised within my soul for the harm I do to my fellow man with such arguments, I have found something of great value that is worthy of mention.

Compromise is the oil which keeps this world from becoming a vast blood bath.  It is impossible to look at the world and not notice that.  And men praise the one who is the most adept at this art.  Needless to say, I don’t get much praise from men.

But it is the foolish of this world who will receive the praise from God.  It is those souls who are bent on rebellion against compromise that will receive the praise of the Father in the form of salvation.  How can I say this with certainty?

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)  Those who compromise with the darkness of corruption in this world will be considered artful players here.  But what will be their case when they appear before the Most High God?  With what justification will they give account of what they have gleaned from the praise of men?

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1: 27)  For the very reason I have mentioned above, God has been eternally wise to take those who are not willing or able to “play the game”.  And for this reason alone I will find reason to boast of my folly among men.  Though I do not boast for the sake of pride.  But I boast because this is the very instrument which has brought me to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

So if I own anything worthy of praise (Ownership is a very curious way of describing that which God Himself has gifted me in this manner.  For no man has anything good that wasn’t given to him from God.) I have my folly.

I am horribly saddened that this folly results in so very many arguments with my fellow man.  And to the point of sobbing I cannot repair that aspect of my life.  For truth will naturally contradict lies.  And as much as my fellow men rely on lies to compete against one another truth will cause hardship between us.

I cannot apologize for what God has called Good.  And I cannot rightfully praise lies.  So I am forced by the wisdom of God to remain black and white in my assessment of life.  I will always be the outcast.  But this is to my advantage.  I will always be the one least invited to social gatherings.  But I am forced to appreciate that this is to my advantage.

I’m done trying to explain this now.  It is my sincere desire that this post has helped anyone who marvels at my apparent verbal violence.  I do not desire to be the outcast.  But how shall it be avoided if I desire to please the Most High God?

By His Grace.