Did you know there’s a huge difference between compromise and cooperation? Of course there is. My combined definition for compromise results in *a settlement by mutual concession, where one accepts standards that are lower than desirable, where there is no regard for the same outcome. That doesn’t hold true for cooperation, because cooperation leads to two or more people working together toward the same outcome. I probably should’ve typed one word from both definitions in bold print because of how important it is to you walking away with a clear delineation between the two. The word, my friend, is SAME.
When we cooperate, there’s an understood agreement: although we may still disagree on some things, we are working together toward a common goal, an intended end, the same result. If our end goal is not the same, it’s incumbent upon us to go back to the drawing board to ensure that we haven’t slid over into the area of compromise. This is one of the primary reasons we struggle as followers of Christ. I submit to you that it’s not only a hinderance for followers of Christ, but the entire world.
When I was in the military, I’d make a common reference to how we needed to look at the end state (results of work). I wanted my Soldiers to know that I didn’t expect them to always agree with my decisions, nor should they expect me to agree/take on all of their recommendations. I’d remind them, though, that we had a common goal and, if we ended up disagreeing along the way, we should still be able to go out to eat pizza. I wanted them to know there was a difference between us cooperating for the greater good versus compromising their values or mine.
That pizza spiel may not seem fitting for you and that’s totally ok. I guarantee you, though, as you begin to read the Word of the Lord more and more, you’ll have more than enough scriptures to support you on your journey toward recognizing the difference between compromise and cooperation. We don’t need to have things go our way 100% of the time. Cooperation brings about life, so don’t deliberately seek to avoid it (Daniel 1:8-14). Compromise, however, will slowly strip you of who you are: interests, values, and beliefs. Instead of walking around dying to self daily for the glory of the Lord (Matthew 16:24), you’re just going to be walking around dying (Ephesians 4:18).
READ: Deuteronomy 5:32; Psalm 119:3
LISTEN: “We Believe,” by Newsboys https://youtu.be/FtPmX7e_Rpw
STYMBET 