Written by Mark Rusinko
In our modern society, with all the technology that is available and the goods and services that are provided for us there is a trend towards a preoccupation with these things. A focus on fulfilling our own fleshly desires and a lack of spiritual fulfillment. Paul prophesied that in the last days men shall be lovers of themselves and experience a lack of natural affection. [2 tim 3:1] Today, we see how that prophecy has come to fruition.
Strongs; astorgos greek without natural affection, unsociable (Rom 1:31 marg.), inhuman (2Ti. 3:3 RSV), unloving (2Ti. 3:3 NKJV)
Amplified: BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. In 2 peter 1 qualities of the divine nature of God are presented to us and in verse 5 we are encouraged to “make every effort” with the power of the Holy Spirt to have them become a part of our nature.
2 Peter1 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[e] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
In this article, I would like to focus on one of the virtues that is mentioned in 2 Peter. That virtue is compassion for the suffering of others. It fits in with brotherly affection and the agape love of God.
Christ presented to us a great example of compassion in his life. He was commissioned to “bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted “. [Isaiah 61:1]
Scriptures says that he was moved with compassion [to tears] and healed those suffering from various maladies.
Scripture mentions two aspects of healing the brokenhearted. One is bowels of mercy [Col 3:12]. The other is bowels of compassion talked about by John .
King James Version John 3:17 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Now, there is a difference between the two concepts. “Bowels of mercy” concerns itself with empathy. What is empathy? Empathy is the ability to see things from another’s perspective and feel their emotions. It comes from the German Einfühlung, or ‘feeling into. ‘ It requires an emotional component of really feeling what the other person is feeling. Sympathy, on the other hand, means understanding someone else’s suffering.
As we reflect on this concept of empathy, let us remember that we have the Son, who is a perfect example of really feeling what we experience in our life`s journey. Hebrews 4:15-16 Amplified Bible (AMP]
For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.
When it comes to compassion we see that the Hebrew word for compassion ‘is closely related to the word for womb—suggesting the depth of God’s compassion for us, as well as his ability to carry us in his tender care. Likewise, the Greek word splagchnizomai, translated as compassion, means the stirring of the inward parts, literally the twisting of the intestines.
Furthermore, we see that having compassion carries with it some type of action to help alleviate the suffering of others. The metaphor of “the twisting of the intestines” is very apt in describing the depth of the outgoing concern we should have for others.
In the famous parable of the Good Samaritan we see the extent of the love for the stranger left half-dead on the road to die. The immediate response to nurse the individual back to health is represented very vividly. Conversely, we see the depth of the lack of feeling by the Priest and Levite. Even though they understood from the reading of the law that they should be loving their neighbor as themselves, they “passed by” on the other side of the individual in need without even stopping to assess the situation. An unmistakable hardness of the heart characterized their behavior and show-cased the despised Samaritan’s fulfillment of the meaning of the law.
By examining this parable, we can reflect on our own heart to see if we have a heart of stone or a heart of flesh in our own personal dealings with the brotherhood and then those outside our purview. We are told to come out of Babylon. To figuratively , come out of the worldly system with its values and attitudes. [as Paul said ; a society lacking natural affection] and seek the agape love from the Father and the Son. Having our minds transformed by the holy spirit on a continual basis and growing into the deep things of the spirit.
In the book of Corinthians chapter 13, we find an in-depth description of the agape Love of God that emanates from the Father and the Son.
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition Corinthians 13:5 5 Love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
As we can see in verse 5 of 1 Cor 15 the agape love of God does not insist on its own rights or its own way. God’s spirit emanates outwards towards other people, concerned in a sincere way of the needs of others and practices it on a consistent basis, not just intermittently. We need to have our lives reflect this same spirit of generosity as we associate with the household of faith and those we come in contact with in the world.
English Standard Version Corinthians 1:3-4 In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 we find a description of the process by which we are enhanced to show the desired empathy and compassion in our lives towards others. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God of All Comfort
Experiencing the comfort of the Father through our trials develops within our hearts the capacity to extend compassion to those the father brings us in contact with on a daily basis. As we grow into the fulness and stature of Christ, the Bowels of mercy we are suppose to possess will become second nature in our lives, fulfilling In us the desire of the Father and Son to be epistles of love and Ambassadors of his kingdom.
With these things being said about helping those in need, one can encounter situations where the individual that is seeking help is fully capable of taking care of their own needs. Wisdom is needed in such cases to determine what sort of action should be taken if the individual is taking advantage of the help being offered.
Perhaps, a gentle admonishment is in order to encourage the individual to take care of their own needs and guidance, if needed, to lead them to the path of recovery. Finally, let us review a passage from Paul’s writings that embodies what we have discussed in this article on empathy and compassion.
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition Galatians 6:10 10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[a]morally] to all people [not only [b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].
Let us pray for the spirit to flow through us to give us the energy and wisdom to know how to extend empathy and compassion to others and in doing so fulfill our commission of binding the wounds of the brokenhearted.