Imagine a doctor who compromises the proven cure for an illness. Or a financial advisor who compromises a sure investment. Or a pilot who compromises the correct course heading. Or a Mt. Everest climber who compromises the proper amount of oxygen needed to scale the summit. Or a political party that compromises the very principles and values that built a great nation.
Compromise, when resorted to in the wrong scenarios, can have disastrous consequences.
Perhaps the only thing worse than being sincerely wrong is being willing to compromise the truth by diluting it with a lie.
The art of compromise is one that is an integral part of business, politics, relationships and more. It is typically employed when two parties hold opposing views and are at an impasse. And if compromise does not sacrifice truth or principle, then it can be a worthwhile strategy to advance one’s goals.
But when compromise involves abandoning one’s principles and truth, then it will certainly lead to failure and ultimate loss.
The GOP’s history of diluting and compromising its core principles over the last several decades has led directly to the rise of Donald Trump. As a result, Republicans are now being represented and led by a man who:
- Is an open and unapologetic serial adulterer, even boasting of his numerous and lurid escapades with “top women of the world.”
- Is well known for his willingness to verbally assault anyone that might pose a threat to him or that he simply desires to ridicule or mock. It matters not whether the person is an invalid, a woman that doesn’t measure up to his perfect 10 scoring, or a hundred other childish, misogynist or bigoted reasons.
- Routinely encourages violence against those who disagree with him.
- Uses mean-spirited racial slurs and disparages various ethnic and religious minorities.
- Values his own personal ambition, fame and wealth above most anything else.
- Affirms that America is not an exceptional nation, and he actually has never liked such a designation.
- Has never asked God for forgiveness and does not even see the need for such.
- Believes Planned Parenthood does good work.
- Would order the military to kill the wives and children of terrorists.
- Supported a ban on “assault weapons.”
- Has sided with the strong-arm tactics of government over the personal property rights of individuals.
- Is a big government crony capitalist, doling our millions to politicians, in order to buy personal & business favors.
- Is a serial liar, personally, professionally and politically.
- Advocated for universal healthcare.
- Supported partial birth abortion.
- Welcomed Bruce “Caitlyn” Jenner to use the women’s restroom in Trump Tower.
- Criticized the North Carolina “bathroom bill” and suggested that people should “use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate.”
The Republican Platform over the years, including in 2012, has been a manuscript that promoted not only our nation’s founding principles but it affirmed the values that have been synonymous with conservatives. But it’s one thing to enumerate a set of principles via a manuscript and yet another to put those principles into action. Sadly we have witnessed too many Republican leaders willingly compromise our founding principles, to the detriment of the party and the nation.
There are times when a person’s commitment to truth or principle requires personal sacrifice. In some instances that sacrifice may even cost great loss. We can look to our history to see great examples of men and women who were willing to sacrifice fame and fortune rather than compromise. One of Tennessee’s great heroes, Davy Crockett, is one such example. Despite facing certain death, Crockett came to the aide of his newly adopted Texas brothers at the Alamo and lost his life doing so. But in that final act, Davy epitomized the spirit he had chosen to live by: “Be always sure you’re right. Then go ahead!“
President John F. Kennedy famously once said, “Sometimes party loyalty asks too much.” When such loyalty demands the compromise of truth and principle, that loyalty must not only be abandoned, but it must be exposed for the failure it most certainly will cause.
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” John Adams, founding father.
“Truth has stumbled in the streets.” (Isaiah 59:14)
Well said, Mark! It’s this compromise that has devastated the church over the past few decades.
Good morning, Mark!
I love an awaketofreedom morning, and you knew I was going to respond. I agree with you whole heartedly; the GOP created Donald Trump. There was not, however, a compromise at the root of this, but a complete capitulation! Our conservative Christian GOP representatives in DC have betrayed us at every turn. They have funded abortions, ensuring the continued murder of babies. They have continued funding Obamacare (when they have the purse!). They have stood by silently smirking as Obama opened the borders for illegals and terrorists to come in, draining our tax dollars, raping and killing our sons & daughters and our wives. We know that Obama hates us and seeks our destruction, but those lying b*st*rds that claim to be conservatives are the ones who have facilitated his reign of terror on American citizens.
By “mean-spirited racial slurs”, are you talking about his verbage directed at Judge Gonzalo Curiel? This judge is openly hostile to our laws (how crazy is that – a JUDGE who supports the breaking of American laws?!), funding illegal’s education in our schools. He supports La Raza – an organisation that calls for the taking of much of the western US by La Raza. This judge personally donated to Hillary Clinton’s campaign and assigned lawyers who also donated to her campaign to the case against Trump University. Please tell me that you are not standing up for this Latino Reverend Wright!
“Disparages religious minorities”? As you do not give any examples, I can only assume that you are talking about the solid line Trump has drawn in the sand regarding Muslim immigration. REALLY? This would be a great argument for idiot liberals, not for one of the greatest patriots in the Chattanooga area.
“Verbally abusive”. Thank God! President Obama has only been verbally abuse to conservative, tax-paying Americans for his 10 year reign of terror (beginning with his first campaign). Now we finally have someone on our side that is throwing it back at these anti-Christian, anti-American, liars and thieves.
“encourages violence”? REALLY? Have you been watching the same news I have?! The violence is being perpetrated on Trump supporters!
“would order the military to kill the [families] of terrorists”. Amen! War is not clean and sterile. How do you convince these terrorists to go home and stop killing us? Historically, the west has waged horrible war on them in their own lands, killing everything “that pisses on a wall”. Christian warriors embarked on the crusades in answer to Muslim hoardes conquering and killing in Christian countries. The Barbary wars came about as a result – not of American capitalist greed, but as a result of the murdering, theiving s. & raping by Muslim terrorists. And we are supposed to condemn Trump for speaking out against this filthy aggression?! Remember that we killed many thousands of Japanese to protect American (& Japanese) lives, not once, but twice, by dropping terrible weapons of mass destruction on them. We killed to save lives. Trump is not wrong.
“is a serial liar…” And yet the GOP supported Lying Ted?
Gone are the days of George Washington who did not lie about cutting down the cherry tree. Gone are the days of Ronald Reagan; our last truly great Christian President. I do not care to speculate about the Bushes, but the Gipper openly invoked God, in praise and in petition… he saw America as a tool for God to use.
Mark, on this we agree: the GOP, through it’s abdication of truth and right, has created the need for a man that will stand up and give conservatives hope once again. They have failed to raise up such a man with true conservative principles. Donald stood up and gave us a vision of a great America. Because of King Saul’s disobedience, God took the throne from him and gave it to another. The GOP has failed miserably; they have fallen asleep on guard (and not accidentally). Tell me, all of you who have served, “what is the punished for falling asleep while on guard duty?” The GOP has no right to my vote. They have abdicated that right.
Hello Mark,
Thank you for making this dialogue possible. I agree with you and David, both have good points. David mentioned King Saul being replaced for his disobedience. That is true. But God replaced him with a man after His own Heart. The only times in the Bible that God raised up an ungodly king was to conquer and bring judgment on Israel for its continual disobedience.
By God kings reign and by God kings fall. So the fact that Trump and Hillary are the presumptive candidates, and God doesn’t intervene to stop it, then judgment is looming over America, and NO candidate is going to help America.
But I think you and I are alike in the fact that we will vote but we will vote with a conscious toward God. I will vote according to the Word of God and let God be King and Ruler over this Nation. I know everyone has faults but I will not vote for someone that doesn’t even profess to be Christian. I will not side with an unbeliever.
In His service,
Joe
Just read an article online… http://www.newsmax.com/Finance/StephenMoore/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-jobs-destroy/2016/06/07/id/732691/?ns_mail_uid=60574728&ns_mail_job=1672116_06082016&s=al&dkt_nbr=qcjjmdng
If not Trump, then who? A 3rd party candidate cannot win so it will either be Hillary or Bernie. The above article is only one reason to fear a Trump defeat.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God!