What is Compassion?
I wonder if we confuse compassion for the hurting
with encouraging them to sin...
Does God know our true state when He says:
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Why will the harlots and publicans go in before we church-goers?
Mat_21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Real love is not hate in disguise.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Stewart on -
Yes, I believe that many people, even in the churches today, encourage others in sin.
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They have "strengthened the hands of the wicked" by promising them life, peace, and prosperity when they do not know God. (Eze 13:22) They will "be disgraced by all that [they] did when [they] comforted them." (Eze 16:54) Not only have they been "miserable comforters", but these make the hearer two-fold more the children of hell than they themselves.
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"They that forsake the law praise the wicked" (Prov 28:4). Such praise can do the wicked man no real good.
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"It is not love but sentimentalism that palters with wrongdoing, seeks by coaxing or bribes to secure compliance, and finally accepts some substitute in place of the thing required." (Child Guidance p236) This applies to the parent/child relationship, but I believe it applies in a broader sense too.
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Permalink Reply by teresa on -
Yes. I wonder how many of us SDAs have been "converted" to the church, or to its doctrines, but not to Christ and His character, wishing to retain the same character we had before "conversion"...
All, high or low, if they are unconverted, are on one common platform. Men may turn from one doctrine to another. This is being done, and will be done. Papists may change from Catholicism to Protestantism; yet they may know nothing of the meaning of the words, “A new heart also will I give you.” Accepting new theories, and uniting with a church, do not bring new life to anyone, even though the church with which he unites may be established on the true foundation. Connection with a church does not take the place of conversion. To subscribe the name to a church creed is not of the least value to anyone if the heart is not truly changed.... {Ev 290.2}
In matters of conscience the soul must be left untrammeled. No one is to control another’s mind, to judge for another, or to prescribe his duty. God gives to every soul freedom to think and to follow his own convictions. “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). No one has a right to merge his own individuality in that of another. In all matters where principle is involved, “let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (verse 5). In Christ’s kingdom there is no lordly oppression, no compulsion of manner. The angels of heaven do not come to the earth to rule and to exact homage, but as messengers of mercy, to cooperate with men in uplifting humanity.—The Desire of Ages, 550, 551 (1898). {2MCP 707.3}
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Permalink Reply by Man Flower Glow on -
amen to serve and uplift humanity
GOD help us all
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Permalink Reply by Paul Macevle on -
Stewat, great great great post. I totally agree. Today and tomorrow. God bless you so much. I know i don't know Christ-like spirit. But i think you have it. God bless you... I'm always humbled by the things you say.
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Permalink Reply by Eddie-Lee on -
To be truly compassionate, we have to have an experience with Jesus - the perfect balance is in Him.
Rebuking Peter - front-face - and calling him Satan may not have 'seemed' compassionate, but it was. I think we often try to get the balance in our own understanding and fall flat on our faces (I know I do)
Calling out sin in the loving way that encourages the sinner to repent is a work of the Holy Spirit - we cannot do it alone, no matter how nice we try to sound.
Too nice and it encourages the sinner to remain in sin, claiming God's love and acceptance.
Too hard and it breaks dear souls or drives them harder into sin.
Jesus way - rebuke, but with a sincere care for the soul
Compassion is caring for the dear soul, even if they fall 100 times - we encourage and care for the weak.
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Permalink Reply by Man Flower Glow on
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amen
Jesus way - rebuke, but with a sincere care for the soul
that would take an established relationship
where they would see feel smell and touch the care,trust,compassion
and no ussumptions
not strangers posting condemnation like a drive by shooting
and think that is fulfilling christian duty
no matter the intent or experience/nonexperience with JESUS
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Permalink Reply by Eddie-Lee on
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Amen - it has to be Jesus way.
Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit can also rebuke a stranger in such a way that will encourage him/her to repent.
I have been rebuked by a complete stranger before and it was so touching and painful at the same time, but I asked the good Lord to humble me and accept the rebuke because at the end of the day, I recognized Jesus speaking through a stranger.
I assure you, some people will never take rebuke, no matter how loving.
The same sun that softens the wax, hardens the clay.
Nevertheless, compassion, whether towards a stranger or otherwise, is grounded in the love of Jesus.
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Permalink Reply by teresa on
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Reply by Eddie-Lee Lawrence
Rebuking Peter - front-face - and calling him Satan ...
Actually, Jesus did not call Peter Satan,
Read,
The words of Christ were spoken, not to Peter, but to the one who was trying to separate him from his Redeemer. “Get thee behind Me, Satan.” No longer interpose between Me and My erring servant. Let Me come face to face with Peter, that I may reveal to him the mystery of My love. {DA 416.1}
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Permalink Reply by Eddie-Lee on
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Hi Teresa,
The point was that Peter was being used by Satan - Jesus rebuked.
The point is that while rebuke may not 'seem' nice, compassion still may be present.
I hope the point was understood.
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Permalink Reply by teresa on
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- Reply by Eddie-Lee Lawrence 1 hour ago
Rebuking Peter - front-face - and calling him Satan ...
- Reply by teresa 3 hours ago
- Actually, Jesus did not call Peter Satan,
- Read,
- The words of Christ were spoken, not to Peter, but to the one who was trying to separate him from his Redeemer. “Get thee behind Me, Satan.” No longer interpose between Me and My erring servant. Let Me come face to face with Peter, that I may reveal to him the mystery of My love. {DA 416.1}
- I don't know brother. The messenger of the Lord seems to be contradicting you. Looks like Jesus was rebuking Satan, not Peter, but if you read it differently...
- Reply by Eddie-Lee Lawrence
I hope the point was understood.
I'm sorry, but I have never placed you on an equality with the Holy Spirit .
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