Reach Across the Aisle

Compromise means an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. To concede is to surrender or yield. Recently, JetBlu Airlines conducted an experiment called, "Reach Across the Aisle," to try and make a point about compromising. The account of the experiment is as follows: "Passengers of flight 603 probably weren't expecting a surprise of a lifetime when they boarded their plane — but they got one. In a video called, "Reach Across the Aisle" by JetBlue Airways, a fun social experiment was conducted in which one free round trip was promised to those willing to participate. The catch? All 150 people on the plane had to unanimously agree on the destination ... About an hour and a half later, 150 total strangers were able to set aside their differences and agree on a trip to Costa Rica. Moral of the story? "If people compromise and work together, all parties can win."" This is great when a free round trip ticket is involved. People do this every day of their lives. We compromise on what movie to watch. We compromise on where to go for dinner. We compromise on where to take the family on vacation. The examples are endless. However, in cases like JetBlu's experiment and our daily lives, there is really no winners and losers. If the passengers would not have reached an agreement they really didn't miss out on much. Missing out on a free trip most likely would not have changed their lives much, if at all. Where we eat dinner, what movie we watch or where we go on vacation may not have much affect on our lives either way. However, since when did reaching a conclusion through compromise automatically mean the best decision was reached on a subject? Compromising, by definition, means that each side did not fully get what they wanted. I guess that is fine when it comes to free trips and many of the other tasks of daily life. But, what about when it comes to matters of faith?

As a Christian, where do you compromise on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of the Bible? Truth is, you do not compromise? When people talk about there being other paths to heaven apart from faith in Jesus Christ, where do you compromise? When people say the Bible is not God's Word, what do you concede? What parts of God's Truth are we willing to set aside in order to agree with the others? The Bible is clear about what God thinks.

Ephesians 6:11:
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

1 Corinthians 16:13:
"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

2 Thessalonians 2:15:
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."

1 Corinthians 15:58:
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Galatians 5:1:
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

James 5:8:
"You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."

We are to stand firm when it comes to God's truth, Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. If we are to "reach across the aisle," it is to bring people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18)." The key phrase is, "If it is possible." If being at peace means that you compromise the truth, you may have avoided conflict or come to an agreement, but you may have also prevented someone from hearing the most important message in the world; the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stand firm, don't compromise, reach across the aisle, present the Gospel and trust the Lord to do the convincing.