Presented August 6, 2006 am
OUR NEED FOR COMPASSION
Today I want to talk about an attribute every Christian needs. It is an attitude that not only determines whether or not we will do what needs to be done, but the fervor with which we will perform it. We want to study some things the Bible has to say about the subject of compassion.
I. What is compassion?
a.
Defined – “sympathetic consciousness of others’
distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” (Webster’s Collegiate
Dictionary)
“Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve
it.” (AHD)
NOTE how this word has two elements – 1) awareness of a need & 2) a desire to do
something about it.
b.
In the New Testament the word is defined as
There are actually two Greek words that comprise the majority of times the word
is found:
oikteiroo (Strongs – 3627) is defined as “To show mercy and concern, with the
implication of sensitivity and compassion.” (Louw & Nida)
splagchnizomai (Strongs – 4697) is defined as, “to experience great affection
and compassion for someone” (Louw & Nida). The two words mean essentially the
same thing. But the latter is an interesting study having reference to “the
bowels” (used several times in the KJV [9 times], but in other versions
translated – affections or tender mercies) speaking of that which is deep inside
of us. Obvious the intended use is not physical organs, but our deep, inward
affections or feelings. In other words, the term is a genuine concern or
feelings as opposed to superficial expressions.
It is a word that is associated with mercy.
c.
Brethren, we need compassion. We need to really CARE
about others. We need to be merciful in dealing with others. It is a
foundational element in properly dealing with others.
II. Compassion commanded
a. Colossians 3:12 – Paul called upon these brethren to “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…” The word “tender mercies” is this compassion we speak of. (KJV uses the term, “bowels of mercies”, NASU, ASV – “a heart of compassion”)
b. Jude 22 commands, “And on some have compassion.” More on this in a few moments.
c. 1 Peter 3:8, says that we are to have compassion for one another and tenderhearted. The word “tenderhearted” is the term we have discussed. Note also the word compassion. It is a different word, from which our English word sympathy is derived. Used only here.
d. Philippians 2:1-2, speaks of there being any “affection and mercy.” Compassion is a key ingredient to brethren being united as they ought to be.
III. Examples of compassion
a.
The
Compassion of Jesus – there is no
greater example of compassion than Jesus.
He had compassion - Matthew 9:36 – when He saw the multitudes, He
was moved with compassion. (Also 14:14).
Luke 14:1-5 – He healed a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. He then challenged
them asking if they had an ox or donkey that fell in a ditch on the Sabbath if
they would get it out. We see here His compassion.
Luke 19:41-44 – as He approached Jerusalem He wept, knowing what was in store
for her.
The gospel of Mark uses the term 5 times (6:34, 8:2, 9:22, 14:14, 20:34)
He taught compassion –
Matthew 18:27 – parable of the unforgiving servant. The master had compassion.
Luke 15:20 – The prodigal son. The father had compassion on his son as he
welcomed him back.
His continued compassion toward us – Matthew 11:28-30
Hebrews 2:17-18 – He is a merciful and faithful High Priest.
b. David & Mephibosheth – 2 Samuel 9:1-13. He determined to show kindness to someone in the house of Saul.
c. The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:30-37. The ultimate example of true compassion and the lack thereof.
d.
Speaking of
lack, consider the example of the Pharisees
Luke 18:9-14 – as the Pharisee prayed
in the temple he showed NO compassion for the tax collector
John 8:1-11 – when a woman was caught in adultery, they brought her to Jesus for
judgment. Their lack of compassion is seen in their reason. They were not
interested in justice, but in entrapping Jesus. And they were willing to
destroy this woman to achieve it.
NOTE, on the other hand, the compassion of Jesus in this event as well: The
intentions of Jesus are sometimes misunderstood here. Jesus was NOT ignoring
sin, or even her sins. His desire was to forgive her rather than condemning
her (see 2 Peter 3:9). His challenge was for her to leave her past and go on
living as she ought to live. Isn’t that what Jesus came to do? Forgive our
sinful pasts but expect loyalty to Him in the future.
Luke 7:36-48 where Jesus is in the house of Simon the Pharisee. A woman
(sinful) comes in and anoints His feet with her tears and oil. The Pharisee
sees a sinner and an ignorant Jew who obviously was not whom He claimed to be.
You see no compassion in him for this woman – just hopeless judgment. Jesus
again demonstrates His compassion by forgiving her sins and telling a parable.
IV. Where compassion is needed
a.
For the lost
soul – we need to constantly remind
ourselves that souls are dying daily and doomed to spend eternity lost, unless
they change. When we see a struggling and lost soul how do we react?
Are we like Paul as he considered Israel (Romans 10:1-3)?
We live in a world filled with troubles and those living in misery. While some
are there by their own poor choices, the fact remains they are also lost unless
they change. How much compassion do we have for them? I would be the first
person to call for accountability considering the corruption that is so
prevalent in our society, but I am fearful that the amount of troubles we see is
making us little calloused (myself included).
We may not be able to change the world in this matter, but what about those we
DO have the ability to impact? My concern is that when that when that
opportunity presents itself what will I do? It is something to think about.
BTW, can we EVER truly grasp the degree of compassion God has demonstrated for
our lost souls? As Paul said in Romans 5:8, while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.
b.
For brethren
overtaken in error -
Brethren sometimes fall down. Sometimes they simply find themselves headed in
the wrong direction.
Are we willing to take the time to warn them? Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20.
When a brother is living in sin, do we mourn? (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)
Maybe they have stumbled, repented, stumbled again, repented again, and seem to
be headed down that same road once more. How do we respond in such situations?
While we must realize there are limits to our patience with others (even 70 X 7
is a limit), are they determined with compassion? How much compassion do we
show?
When one departs from the faith, how much effort are we willing to put forth to
bring them back? How quickly do we give up?
Jude 22 - NOTE: while the term “some” is used here, the context is dealing with
how we deal with erring brethren.
c.
For the
brother who returns – Having left the
flock.
How willing are we to accept them back? What demands do we place upon them?
Consider 2 Corinthians 2:1-8. Concerning the brother in 1 Cor. 5, evidently he
repented. And they were slow to receive him back. Paul noted that it was time
to forgive him and reaffirm their love for him. How willing are we to forgive?
How much effort will we put forth to restore their former state?
NOTE: In this I am not saying that one should accept back one who has not truly
repented or one determined to cause trouble. IF one’s repentance is not
genuine, they are still lost. If there are suspicions or unresolved issues,
they still need to be addressed. And there are some who need to prove
themselves clear in their past sinful matters (See repentance in 2 Corinthians
7:8-12).
My question is simply, WHERE do we draw that line? Is it drawn with compassion?
Do we REALLY care for their souls? Do we rejoice in their repentance? Do we
weep with them as they realize what they have done? OR do we rejoice because
they have fallen in sin (i.e. – they are no longer a burden to us) and are
bitter at their return (like the brother of the prodigal son in Luke 15:24-30)?
d.
For the
brother who requests our prayers and support
-
We often have brethren respond acknowledging weaknesses. In fact, it is the
most frequent type of response here. For reasons we may not understand, they
struggle with sins and seem to keep coming forward. Others simply come forward
asking for our prayers dealing with either their weaknesses or troubles (and not
all of them involve sin).
After awhile we may grow tired of it and begin to judge their motives as
insincere. Because they are not as strong and mature as we are, we begin to
question their conversion. I ask, HAVE WE BEEN COMPASSIONATE ENOUGH? Have we
really forgiven them ENOUGH?
Understand, brethren are told to confess their trespasses to one another so that
they will pray for them (James 5:16). Do we adequately allow that? And I
further ask, do we give others enough assurance to be able to come to us with
whatever their needs might be?
NOTE: Anyone who knows me understands that I do not always want someone
to disclose all of their sins and weaknesses. The reason is, even though it is
wrong, there are always GOSSIPS, busybodies and those who lack the mental
judgment to keep their mouths shut about other people’s matters. They can take
someone’s personal and private struggles and make it a public event, often
causing much more damage than good. While there are times to publicly
acknowledge specific sins (such as when one has been withdrawn from for specific
reasons, publicly known actions, etc.), often times when a general
acknowledgement is made, those involved know and ought to be willing to accept
it, AND KEEP IT TO THEMSELVES! One who truly repents will want to make sure
those offended know.
ARE WE COMPASSIONATE ENOUGH? In Matthew 18:22 says we ought to forgive our
brethren up to 70 X 7. Have we reached that point yet? NOTE: There is a point
when compassion means making a tough choice to mark someone or demand action.
BUT I ask, IS THAT THE MOTIVE when we don’t want to accept them back?
Romans 12:15 tells us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who
rejoice.
e.
For the needy
– the poor, the sick, the discouraged, etc.
Christians need to be compassionate for those less fortunate than themselves.
This is borne out in passages like James 1:27, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 1 John
3:17-19, Galatians 6:9-10, etc.
We live in such a prosperous nation. TOO prosperous, I am fearful: For with
luxury comes self-satisfaction and complacency. Our lives are filled with
abundance concerning our needs and, for most of us, great ease and luxury. But
are we really willing to share with others? How compassionate are we really
toward them? How do we treat those not in “our class”?
Jesus loved the poor. Note what He emphasized when the disciples of John came
to Him asking if He were the coming one. Luke 7:22-23, “Go and tell John the
things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers
are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel
preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
Where is our compassion?
Do we have the compassion we need? This lesson has been designed for each of us to step back and take a look at our own lives, and maybe even as a collectivity here in Bellflower. Before true growth will materialize, compassion must first be present. Are we all doing our part? Think about it?