The Blue and Gray Dilemma: Why Trying to Fit In Can Cost You Everything

  

 There is a story about a Civil War soldier who had  a peculiar strategy for survival. This Confederate soldier thought one day that he would put on a blue Union coat and gray Confederate trousers. What this soldier thought was that if he would do this it might shield him from enemy fire. Surely, he reasoned, neither side would target someone who appears to be one of their own. With his disguise complete he decided to test his theory out. So the soldier tiptoed  out onto the field, confident in his clever camouflage. The result, was not what he expected! A barrage of bullets from both sides came hurling at him. His failed attempt to appease everyone left him vulnerable to everyone.

    I shared this story because I believe it paints a vivid picture of the perilous path of compromise, especially when it comes to our Christian faith. The desire to fit in, to avoid conflict, to find common ground can be a powerful lure. One that many find themselves entrapped in.  But as this story illustrates, trying to straddle the fence between the world and God often leaves us targeted by both. As we try to walk the tight rope of being accepted, we often find ourselves falling to our own destruction. 

    Now don't get me wrong trying to fit in is not a bad thing. In fact we all have a desire to find acceptance and to fit in. Furthermore it can be a good thing for us to try as best as we can to avoid conflict and desire peace. I think we could all agree that trying to find common ground is a healthy way to build relationships. However, sometimes these desires can become if we are not carful the focus. We can seek acceptance even if it means that we have to compromise our standards. We can focus more on avoiding conflict even if it means that we are silent in the face of sin and injustice. We can focus so much on finding common ground, that we fail to point out the problems and errors that we see. 

    Scripture is replete with cautionary tales of those who succumbed to this temptation. Lot, seeking what appeared to be a prosperous and easy life, pitched his tent toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12). His gradual integration into the wicked city ultimately led to immense loss and heartache (Genesis 19). 

    Take Samson, a man of incredible strength set apart by God, repeatedly compromised his Nazarite vow through his relationship with Delilah, leading to his capture, blindness, and eventual death (Judges 16).

     Even the wise King Solomon, whose heart was initially devoted to God, was led astray by his love for foreign women who turned his heart after other gods (1 Kings 11).

    In our contemporary world, the pressure to conform is relentless. We are constantly bombarded with messages urging us to relax our "doctrinal strings," to embrace and tolerate what God's Word unequivocally defines as sin. Like that Civil War soldier, some Christians attempt to navigate this battlefield by blending in, hoping for a peaceful coexistence with the world and with their faith. They compromise their convictions, sometimes even participating in activities they know are contrary to God's commands, all in the name of acceptance or ease.

    Jesus minced no words on this matter. In Matthew 6:24 (ESV), He declared, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." The principle extends far beyond financial allegiance. Our loyalty cannot be divided, or watered down. We cannot wholeheartedly serve God while simultaneously seeking the approval and acceptance of a world that often stands in direct opposition to Him. There is no neutral territory in Christianity.

    The temptation to compromise often arises from a desire to avoid confrontation. Standing firm on God's Word can lead to uncomfortable conversations, disagreements, and even social isolation. It can also ignite an internal battle against our own desires and sinful inclinations. Compromise seems like the easier route, a way to sidestep the struggle.

    However, choosing to compromise is not avoiding a battle; it's choosing a side – unfortunately the wrong one. Jesus' words are clear: devotion to one master inherently involves a rejection of the other. Do we truly want to find ourselves in opposition to the very God who loves us and desires our best? Is it not better for us to choose the one who has all authority in heaven and earth, than it is to choose a world swallowed up by sin?

    Consider for a moment the story of Martin Niemöller, a German pastor who initially supported Hitler but later became a vocal critic and was imprisoned for his resistance. He said this about the danger of gradual compromise: "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." His words echoes the danger of remaining silent and compromising our values in the face of wrong. 

    This week, as we navigate our daily lives, let's be acutely aware of the subtle or the not-so-subtle pressures to compromise our faith. It might be a personal temptation to indulge in a sin we know is wrong. It might be the urge to remain silent when truth needs to be spoken to avoid an awkward situation. It might be overcoming the fear that we feel as we share our faith boldly and openly that others may hear the gospel and be saved. 

    So, instead of reaching for the "blue and gray" of compromise, let us heed the call to stand firm. Let us clothe ourselves in the unwavering truth of God's Word and trust in His strength to see us through any battle we face for His sake. As Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) reminds us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." Remember our strength doesn't come from our ability to blend in, but from our unwavering commitment to the One who calls us to stand out.

Here are 2-3 practical applications to consider this week:

1. Identify Areas of Potential Compromise: Take some time to reflect on areas in your life where you might be tempted to compromise your beliefs or values to fit in or avoid conflict. Be honest with yourself.
2. Seek God's Strength to Stand Firm: Choose one or two of these areas and intentionally pray for God's strength and wisdom to stand firm on His Word, even if it means facing discomfort or opposition.
3. Find Encouragement in Community: Connect with fellow believers who share your commitment to unwavering faith. Encourage one another to stand strong and resist the urge to compromise. Ask them to pray for you in times of temptation.