Contending with Compassion

           

A “Hate has no home here” sign sits next to a sign that declares, “No Kings, no Fascists, no tyrants, no Nazis.” Another recent online post crows, “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” Hate clearly does have a home if that home declares you a fascist. Though fascism was popularized by a man who annihilated millions of Jews, the majority of those who stand with Israel today are also considered part of the problem. It is rather ironic, yes?

It also makes it a bit difficult to share Jesus with those who have declared you an enemy without ever meeting you. Though many who put these signs up call themselves Christians, they do not identify with Christians who disagree with their version of loving like Jesus loves. Selective compassion seems to be the popular trend of this age. However, Bible believers have been warned for centuries that many would use Jesus as an avenue to increase their own ideals, agendas, and admiration. The tiny book of Jude is entirely dedicated to challenging believers to contend for the faith while maintaining the compassion and mercy Jesus demonstrated. What does this look like in a world gone mad? The same way it looked when people who claimed to love God brutally murdered His Son.

The culture today still breeds hatred for those it disagrees with, just like it did in first-century Jerusalem. Believers must continue to stand for truth, while also showing the compassion and mercy Jesus has so lavishly poured on them. As Jude 22 says, “have compassion, making a difference.” He also concedes that some will only be pulled from the flames by fear, so hell-fire preaching is still in order too.

Compassion looks like a warning that God will judge sin. Compassion looks like speaking the truths that Jesus died for. Compassion looks like serving those who do not agree with you. Compassion looks like intentionally dying to your own agendas to love like Jesus. Compassion cannot be selective.

 James 3:6-9 warns us to avoid blessing God while cursing men, going on to compare a fountain offering both bitter and sweet water. Eventually, the bitter takes over the sweet, and the fountain has nothing good to offer anyone.

James then describes what a Christian’s conversation should look like:

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:13-18.

Believer, be very careful what you are allowing to fill your mind. A constant intake of bitter, angry, or fearful conversation will take root in your heart, too. If, however, you fill your mind with worship, Scripture, and uplifting fellowship with other believers, you will have more love to pour out on everyone who crosses your path.

Because Jude is so closely aligned with 2 Peter, I put together one last study from the Peter series. You can download it below. It has been a relevant help for these last days before Jesus returns. Have a blessed weekend, my friends!