Have compassion one for another

Most of us grow up with the notion that wrong doing has to be punished immediately. We read in scriptures that God will punish sins. How is it that we often see people (whom we perceive as dishonest) living a life far more comfortable than we think it ought to be? If God punishes, why did He let these people go "scot free" as it were? Then, there are those whom we perceive as honest but their lives appear to be less comfortable as we presume them to be. Thank God that His thoughts are not our thoughts. As humans, we cannot see beyond the next second. Our plans at best are covered by contingency in case we fail; we have a "Plan B" or "Plan C". God does not need to have a second plan. He has only one plan. He knows the future. God is gracious. He gives. Humans look for opportunities to take. In making judgments on the people whom God should punish, we are effectively telling God that we know what is better. We think we can see things that God might have missed. Be assured that God sees beyond what we can see. He looks into the hearts. We look at the physical. We see what is visible only. God knows best. Whom God blesses and whom He shows mercy is His prerogative and that has nothing to do with us. "For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" (Rom 9:15–16).

John chapter 8 describes for us a woman who committed adultery. The people brought this woman to Jesus and asked for His advice. They quoted the law of Moses and said that the woman deserved to be stoned. Notice that Jesus did not say anything. He stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. Obviously, the people would be very keen to know what was written. The scripture did not tell us what Jesus wrote. He could have written key words that might have caused a recall of the sins of the accusers. Whatever Jesus wrote must have been effective. Jesus answered, "… He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). Soon the people left the place and only the woman and Jesus were present. Jesus then told the woman to go and sin no more.

Joshua chapter 22 warns us against jumping to conclusion. After the war, the two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh) were allowed back home to their own land that was across the River Jordan. They built a great altar there for all to see (Josh 22:10). The perception was that the altar was built as a show of rebellion against God (Josh 22:16–20). Words came fast and aplenty. The other tribes made a very hasty judgment on their brethren. Are we not like that? When we are aroused, we speak too much in rapid succession. Be careful, as words spoken cannot be retracted. There was a great commotion when the other tribes saw the altar. War was almost declared. However, the two and a half tribes gave their explanation. The altar was not built to worship God but to show their descendants, and to remind them of the bond with their brethren on the other side of the river (Josh 22:21–29).

What lesson did we get from this passage of scripture? We learn that when we hear that a Christian whom we have known has done some terrible things, we ought to find out and confirm. We cannot and must not base our perception on hearsay. Innocent actions can be misconstrued, exaggerated and blown out of proportion. Sometimes we misrepresent an action of a fellow believer because we do not like that person and are only too glad for an opportunity to criticize. Worse yet, this criticism is done behind the person. That is evil and wicked. Sometimes we misrepresent an action because we disagree with it. This is dishonesty because the motives can be right even if the action is wrong.

The Israelites were too quick to misconstrue and much too quick to be ready to fight, but we must pay tribute to them that before they did anything, they sent representatives to talk with their brethren. When they came face to face and talked the whole business through, the problems were resolved. This is a lesson we all must take note. "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing" (1 Pet 3:8–9).

Elder Foong Kon Yut
Adapted from Calvary Jurong BPC Encouragement Page, 14 Jan 07.