The apostle Peter wrote, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9). Christians all too often receive a negative caricature that they are mean-spirited, hateful souls, out to do nothing but impose their will forcibly upon all of society. It is true that, indeed, many who call themselves Christians would fit such a caricature. However, rather than judging the religion by the misguided steps of some claimed adherents, should not one judge the character of the religion by the intent of its authorized message?
The New Testament teaches that Christians ought to be people of compassion and kindness, not only toward one another, but also toward others. Benevolence is to be shown toward all men (Galatians 6:10). The criteria of judgment in the Great Judgment scene described by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 is whether or not the individual was involved in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and giving drink to the thirsty. Compassion on human needs must be at the center of the Christian life. Many times, to be sure, professional beggars take advantage of this kindness, and caution must be exercised. Even then, compassion, not enabling bad behavior, must be the order of the day for the Christian.
Indeed, compassion is not always what one would expect. In the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus’ reaction to seeing the multitudes as sheep without a shepherd was to have compassion (Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34). In Matthew’s account, His compassion prompted His healing of their sick. Interestingly, in Mark’s account, His prompted action was to teach them. Of course, neither author is wrong, and nor is there any contradiction; He did both. It is just interesting that Mark chose to connect compassion with teaching. That is not what some would expect.
Some expect that compassion is always geared toward physical needs. He had compassion, so He healed. That fits the modern psychological and sociological mold. Many charities are formed based on compassion. Compassionate people want to help raise money for the fight against cancer and other diseases. Tenderheartedness causes people to want to do something about hungry children in the United States or overseas. Compassionate people want to persuade even one mother not to have an abortion. Compassionate people want the elderly to be treated with dignity.
When is the last time you thought of compassion resulting in teaching? People are lost in a sea of lies in this postmodern world. People believe doctrines that are harmful to their spiritual health, their emotional health and even to their physical health. Societies function on foundational values and mores that just are not true.
One of the most compassionate things one can do is to teach. Yet, this compassion requires some courage. People might not be as open to receiving a particular teaching as they would be to a sandwich given in love. That teaching, if indeed correcting a lie, may just stir the ire of those who prefer the lie. Many people, because of their own selfish pleasure, will choose the lie over the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; Romans 1:24-28).
It would behoove each Christian to ask himself or herself, “When is the last time I showed compassion to someone by teaching, or at least making the attempt to do so?” It is a challenging question drawn from a challenging concept. Have compassion. Give what people need physically. Show them what they need spiritually. We cannot force anyone to accept the message and bear fruit, but we can lovingly sow and water (1 Corinthians 3:6).
