Compassion

A Question on Compassion

I’ve always heard that one’s growth in compassion is a sign of one’s growth in their relationship with Christ and that makes sense to me. My question involves is there something else that needs to stand out along with that to set you apart as a Christian or is Christian compassion different than other types of compassion?

I’m thinking about people like Oprah. She’s definitely a public figure that has put her money where her mouth is in reaching out to others in compassion. However, she distinctly says that it doesn’t matter what path you take as long as the end results in love, compassion, etc. No need to get hung up on defining or acknowledging “Christ” or “God”. As Christians and as a church, how do we talk about compassion and reaching out to the least of these and yet still help people to hear that through the “lens” of Christ and not just through the “lens” of Oprah where the end justifies the means? I hope my question is clear……
Kim

What a great question, Kim. There does seem to be a theme in television today about showing compassion. Whether it’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, the Big Give, or American Idol Gives Back, there is a growing sense that compassion is part of what we need to do as members of the human race.

Compassion changes lives. We can’t deny that. People receive a new house and their lives are changed. A child receives malaria medication or anti-retroviral drugs and their life is saved. There is something about these experiences that also changes the giver – the one showing compassion. Whether it’s tears, joy, a combination of both, or a changed perspective in what matters, compassion changes lives. We are drawn to it. It helps us remember what matters – people.

And it gets us in touch with God’s Kingdom. We are created in God’s image and therefore are strangely affected when we experience what it is like in God’s Kingdom. We may not even know or believe in God, but that doesn’t mean we can’t experience glimpses of His Kingdom. Seeing acts of compassion and experiencing them ourselves do that in our lives.

Jesus says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) It’s true. Watch the faces of the “givers” when they see how their act of kindness and compassion affects the life of another. They are blessed. Every parent has these moments when they are overwhelmed with the gift of their child and what a gift it is to “give” to their child.

The challenge lies in seeing the source of compassion. We are not the source. When we see ourselves as the source, we take the credit. We get our reward. We are only able to show compassion because of Jesus Christ whose ultimate act of compassion has brought into this world the kingdom of God. When we start believing in ourselves as the source, it is easy for our acts of compassion to lead to pride or to be done because of the “good feeling” we get when we do them.

I applaud the efforts of Oprah, ABC, and American Idol to look outside of themselves and help those in need. In many ways I am convicted by their generosity and so often my lack of it.

But one thing we has followers of Jesus Christ ought to know is that a new house or even drugs which extend your life cannot offer LIFE. They may help people experience a glimpse of what it is like in the kingdom of God, but the kingdom of God is only dwelt in when you receive the King. He is the source of compassion. He is the source of hope. He is the source of purpose and peace in this world.

Let us live in the compassion God has for us. Let us be people who show compassion to the people of this world. And let us show them Jesus. That is where they will truly find what they are looking for. It can be found in no one or anything else. Jesus is the only one who changes lives forever.

Feed the poor. Visit the sick. Comfort those who mourn. Give to those in need. Meet the needs of the least of these. Why? So they will see Jesus in us and hopefully find Him. That is truly what they (we) need.