Biblical Thoughts on Compassion
In a May 19 article titled “Responding redemptively to President Biden’s cancer,” Jim Denison of Denison Ministries offered biblical insights about “How to have compassion for those with whom we disagree.”
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Denison, who said he disagreed “strongly” with some of Biden’s positions, asked non-Democrats how they would have responded if their preferred candidates had received a similar diagnosis. He explained:
The question goes much further than our relationship with political leaders. We all have people in our lives with whom we disagree, some on a deep and emotional level: family members, work colleagues, fellow students, neighbors—the list goes on. If we have compassion only for hurting people we like, we won’t have compassion for many people. Yet our compassion for those with whom we disagree can be a powerful witness, one that shows the difference Jesus makes in a life and models his grace.
Denison then presented “four biblical facts” to guide Christians as they express compassion. First, compassion isn’t the same as agreement. “Jesus obviously did not agree with the sins for which he died,” wrote Denison. Second, Christians can’t feel compassion for our enemies without the Holy Spirit’s help.
Next, “Compassion for those with whom we disagree is fueled by remembering our Lord’s compassion for us,” Denison wrote. “In light of such immeasurable compassion toward us, we can be encouraged to seek and share such grace with others.”
Finally, Denison said compassion stems from “remembering what awaits us in the life to come.” He concluded, “The more we disagree with [someone], the more we need such grace for them. And for ourselves.”
, former President Joe Biden revealed he’s been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Numerous church and political leaders responded with well wishes and prayers for Biden, while others said they suspected coverup or scandal.){kind=link}