Compassion is Reciprocal

“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” (Mt 18:33 AV)

 

This is a good follow-up to yesterday’s devotion.  Yesterday, we noted a father’s plea made from the truth of God’s compassion.  He was beside himself over the torment of his son.  He had faith, but he felt the compassion of God more strong of an argument than what faith he possessed.  Jesus did indeed have compassion on him and granted him the desire of his heart.  Today, we read a parable of a wicked servant who was forgiven a large debt by his master simply because the master took compassion on his servant.  This wicked servant went to another and demanded repayment for a debt he was owed.  Showing no compassion right after he was shown compassion, the wicked servant delivered the other to prison and the tormentors until that small debt was repaid.  Upon hearing what the wicked servant did, the master rescinded his pardon and tormented his servant with more ferocity for the debt he owed and a lack of compassion for others.  The application is very straightforward.  We cannot expect the LORD to show compassion on us if we, in turn, show no mercy towards another.

William Penn said, "I expect to pass through this world but once.  Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now.  Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."  I remember reading this quote in grade school.  I have heard it often.  It marks a time in the history of our nation when compassion and kindness seemed the norm.  On the other side of this issue, our twenty-seventh president, William Taft declared, “Too many people don’t care what happens so long as it doesn’t happen to them”.  The problem with compassion is it is often seen through tainted lenses.  The servant who owed much perhaps saw the forgiveness of his large debt as not that much of a sacrifice for his master.  When it came to what his colleague owed him, it was seen as a debt too large for him to bear.  Such is the struggle to exercise compassion on others all the while seeking compassion for one’s own faults.  We tend to see our own faults and not that large compared against the ability of the one to exercise compassion.  God is an infinite God of mercy.  So, for Him to show compassion on me would not be nearly as much of a sacrifice for me to show compassion on someone who had done me wrong.  But this is not how God works.  Regardless of the size of debt or the one forgiving that debt, compassion is still compassion.  If we appreciate this compassion and seek it often, we had better be prepared to show compassion to others in return.

If it is COVD, social injustice, or any other issue facing us today, I see a dearth of compassion among human beings which has even permeated the church.  Our lack of concern for the needs of others is at an all-time low.  We truly do not care about issues unless they directly affect us.  We don’t care how our actions affect others and if we feel we have been wronged, any action on our part is justified to make it right.  We will tear things apart if we do not feel we are being treated fairly.  We demand that God show mercy towards us for our faults and failures, but we are totally unwilling to do that for others.  It is truly sad, really.  The human race has gone to their collective corners and has dug in refusing to show compassion and mercy on those with whom they disagree.  I spoke to a preacher friend of mine recently and he made this statement.  “It seems as though the love of Christ does not reign in the house of God anymore”.  I find it hard to disagree with him.  We are not aware of how our actions affect others.  Nor do we care.  We wonder why God is not working today as He has in the past.  Perhaps it is because we demand of God what we ourselves are not willing to give.  Compassion, mercy, and grace.