Beware the New Compassion
The new 'compassion' says that we must include and accept everyone, regardless of opinions, lifestyles, beliefs, actions or choices.
Sin is a big deal! It’s deadly, serious stuff. So deadly that only God Himself could save us from it. Let’s not forget, though, that we are still accountable for the part we can do – we have to turn our backs on sin. We are supposed to 'go and sin no more.' In a word, we have to repent. God calls us to repentance, as proof of His great compassion.
PrintCHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - I sense a growing weariness among Christians in the fierce cultural battles currently being waged, such as abortion and gay “marriage.” Does it seem like life would be so much easier if we stopped making a big deal about things and just let people do what they wanted? Live and let live, right? Isn’t that the compassionate attitude?
The accusation goes like this: if you dare to call something wrong or immoral, or if you insist that some things are inherently good and others are inherently evil and therefore should not be allowed, then you are being exclusive and insensitive, judgmental and without compassion. If you have the temerity to actually call something a sin, well, that’s the new capital offense.
With regard to the most serious moral and social issues of our day, those with an anti-Christian agenda are trying to redefine compassion -- they equate compassion with tolerance and acceptance, and it just ain’t so.
Beware the new “compassion.”
The new “compassion” says that we must include and accept everyone, regardless of their opinions or lifestyles, actions, beliefs or choices. We should simply agree to disagree, and stop being so critical. After all, doesn’t Jesus welcome everyone with open arms?
It sounds good. It sounds kind and sympathetic. It sounds loving, even. It sounds pretty convincing. But I’m not convinced.
Yes, Jesus surely did stretch His arms open wide and die for the salvation of all mankind, and absolutely no one was excluded from that sacrifice. It is for everyone who accepts it. Accepting the sacrifice means we accept the reason it was necessary in the first place: sin.
Sin is a big deal! It’s deadly, serious stuff. So deadly that only God Himself could save us from it. Let’s not forget, though, that we are still accountable for the part we can do – we have to turn our backs on sin. We are supposed to “go and sin no more.” In a word, we have to repent. God calls us to repentance, as proof of His great compassion.
Imagine how hopeless we would all be if God had merely been sympathetic toward us instead of compassionate? We would still be lost if He had been tolerant and accepting. What if He had left us to be doomed to our eternal death without any hope? After all, the screw-up was ours. He was under no obligation to rescue us from our disobedience and pride. Yet, He is a loving Father, and His children were being devoured by the beast we shook hands with.
He could not simply look on us with a sad sigh, accepting our sinfulness with tolerance. God is unchanging; holy and perfect. Sin can never stand in His presence, and He loves us far too much to ever tolerate anything that would keep us from Him.
I am unutterably grateful that God is not tolerating and accepting! This is what makes our Father so amazing! Sin was killing us, and watering it down wasn’t the answer. God dealt with sin not by making allowances for it, or making excuses for us. He didn’t lower His standards or adjust His expectations one iota. In His perfect justice He showed us compassion, and He met His own demands on our behalf.
Christ died to set us all free from sin, but we will not be free if we remain slaves to it. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18
Our freedom comes through repentance. That’s the point – we can’t stay where we are, making allowances, making excuses for ourselves and others, trying to be tolerant. That’s not compassion. It’s a death sentence.
This new “compassion” is a cunning trick that says each of us can decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, but don’t be fooled. It is a lie from the pit of hell because it deceives us into tolerating sin and calling evil good. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20
We’re not doing anyone any favors by denying or “fudging” the reality of sin. God tells us quite specifically that certain things are sinful, whether we like it or not. And that’s precisely the problem – a lot of people don’t like it.
The modern motto is that people should be able to live as they please without moral “imposition” from anyone else. I even hear Catholics saying the Church has no right to impose its beliefs or morality on anyone else. I strongly disagree – with the premise and the wording. The Church has every right, and more importantly, every obligation, to tell mankind of the danger of sin and the deadly consequences of indulging in it. That’s not “imposing morality.” It is the greatest demonstration of compassion.
God desires that not one of His children be lost for eternity, and His people are charged with the mission of telling the world that each of us has a choice to make. “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” Deut 30: 19
We must be motivated by the same love and compassion that compelled Christ to die for us. We cannot be afraid to call sin what it is. We will be scorned and called every name in the book for insisting that some things are wrong and sinful. We’ll be labeled judgmental, self-righteous and hateful. But consider this: do you leave your door unlocked and welcome the criminal who would rob your house and maybe even kill you? Satan is just such a thief. He comes to kill and destroy our souls and sin is his weapon. How, then, is it compassionate to welcome and tolerate the sin that threatens to kill?
-----
Jennifer Hartline is a Catholic Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three precious kids who writes frequently on topics of Catholic faith and daily living. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.
The accusation goes like this: if you dare to call something wrong or immoral, or if you insist that some things are inherently good and others are inherently evil and therefore should not be allowed, then you are being exclusive and insensitive, judgmental and without compassion. If you have the temerity to actually call something a sin, well, that’s the new capital offense.
With regard to the most serious moral and social issues of our day, those with an anti-Christian agenda are trying to redefine compassion -- they equate compassion with tolerance and acceptance, and it just ain’t so.
Beware the new “compassion.”
The new “compassion” says that we must include and accept everyone, regardless of their opinions or lifestyles, actions, beliefs or choices. We should simply agree to disagree, and stop being so critical. After all, doesn’t Jesus welcome everyone with open arms?
It sounds good. It sounds kind and sympathetic. It sounds loving, even. It sounds pretty convincing. But I’m not convinced.
Yes, Jesus surely did stretch His arms open wide and die for the salvation of all mankind, and absolutely no one was excluded from that sacrifice. It is for everyone who accepts it. Accepting the sacrifice means we accept the reason it was necessary in the first place: sin.
Sin is a big deal! It’s deadly, serious stuff. So deadly that only God Himself could save us from it. Let’s not forget, though, that we are still accountable for the part we can do – we have to turn our backs on sin. We are supposed to “go and sin no more.” In a word, we have to repent. God calls us to repentance, as proof of His great compassion.
Imagine how hopeless we would all be if God had merely been sympathetic toward us instead of compassionate? We would still be lost if He had been tolerant and accepting. What if He had left us to be doomed to our eternal death without any hope? After all, the screw-up was ours. He was under no obligation to rescue us from our disobedience and pride. Yet, He is a loving Father, and His children were being devoured by the beast we shook hands with.
He could not simply look on us with a sad sigh, accepting our sinfulness with tolerance. God is unchanging; holy and perfect. Sin can never stand in His presence, and He loves us far too much to ever tolerate anything that would keep us from Him.
I am unutterably grateful that God is not tolerating and accepting! This is what makes our Father so amazing! Sin was killing us, and watering it down wasn’t the answer. God dealt with sin not by making allowances for it, or making excuses for us. He didn’t lower His standards or adjust His expectations one iota. In His perfect justice He showed us compassion, and He met His own demands on our behalf.
Christ died to set us all free from sin, but we will not be free if we remain slaves to it. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18
Our freedom comes through repentance. That’s the point – we can’t stay where we are, making allowances, making excuses for ourselves and others, trying to be tolerant. That’s not compassion. It’s a death sentence.
This new “compassion” is a cunning trick that says each of us can decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, but don’t be fooled. It is a lie from the pit of hell because it deceives us into tolerating sin and calling evil good. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20
We’re not doing anyone any favors by denying or “fudging” the reality of sin. God tells us quite specifically that certain things are sinful, whether we like it or not. And that’s precisely the problem – a lot of people don’t like it.
The modern motto is that people should be able to live as they please without moral “imposition” from anyone else. I even hear Catholics saying the Church has no right to impose its beliefs or morality on anyone else. I strongly disagree – with the premise and the wording. The Church has every right, and more importantly, every obligation, to tell mankind of the danger of sin and the deadly consequences of indulging in it. That’s not “imposing morality.” It is the greatest demonstration of compassion.
God desires that not one of His children be lost for eternity, and His people are charged with the mission of telling the world that each of us has a choice to make. “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” Deut 30: 19
We must be motivated by the same love and compassion that compelled Christ to die for us. We cannot be afraid to call sin what it is. We will be scorned and called every name in the book for insisting that some things are wrong and sinful. We’ll be labeled judgmental, self-righteous and hateful. But consider this: do you leave your door unlocked and welcome the criminal who would rob your house and maybe even kill you? Satan is just such a thief. He comes to kill and destroy our souls and sin is his weapon. How, then, is it compassionate to welcome and tolerate the sin that threatens to kill?
-----
Jennifer Hartline is a Catholic Army wife and stay-at-home mother of three precious kids who writes frequently on topics of Catholic faith and daily living. She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online.
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
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Your argument leaves out two key points: 1) God gave each one of us free will, so despite your definition of what is sin, even God allows each individual to make choices. And the corollary, 2) Judge not, lest ye be judged. As the Puritans learned when they arrived in this country to escape religious prosecution, only to begin that same prosecution toward others who disagreed with them, you cannot clean up human society by making all sins illegal. Jesus didn't tell the prostitutes and tax collectors, "Clean up your act, and then maybe I'll sit with you." That's exactly what you are suggesting here, and I don't think it's Christ-like. Compassion isn't "new," it's an absolute.
Thank you for you comments! May I say that we must separate the sinner from the sin. We should always be compassionate towards people or anything that has feelings, even animals. But the sin is what is wrong, not the person. There are so many reasons why people sin - many are taught to sin. Don't throw away the baby with the bathwater!
In Canada we have been worshipping the false god of Tolerance for a long time. God preferes Patience. If you look up "tolerance" anywhere in the bible, it's condemned.
That is why the church has a beautiful program called Courage Apostolate.
God Bless.
"A compassionate heart need never carry the burden of judgement". John O'Donohue "Benedictus"
Thankyou for writing this piece Jennifer. A beautiful article indeed. I completely support every word that you have written here and I am going to send this to all family and friends.
Regards,
Your sister in Christ,
Candice
I am a firm believer in "Love the sinner, hate the sin." If we start not accepting people because their lifestyles are different than ours, then we are judging and we are playing God and we cannot do that. I have many friends who are homosexual and though I obviously do not agree with their lifestyle choices, I still love them and they are still my friends and I continue to pray for them. God's love is for everyone and everyone is welcome in God's family.
Thank you Laurence as I have heard some very good wisdom and Catholic teaching on here and many who mean well.
Again I say I couldnt have stated what you say better.
God Bless to you and to all on here defending the Catholic Church and the true teaching of Jesus Christ.
He is the way, the truth and the life.
You have explained it very well. Thank you for your article, Jennifer.
Just in response to some of the comments that say that it is hateful to not accept the homosexual lifestyle and that Jesus is the only one she would listen to...
God calls all of us to repent of our sins and to believe and have faith in Him. He does this because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. God does not hate us by calling us to repentance.
In the same way, it is out of love, and not hate, when the Catholic Church calls all of us to repent of our sins. These sins include the homosexual lifestyle, fornication, adultery, pornography, prostitution, masturbation, contraception, abortion, human trafficking, drug trafficking, hatred, drunkenness, robbery, fraud, murder, etc..
The Catholic Church was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ. All the teachings of the Catholic Church about faith and morals come directly from our Lord Jesus Christ through the Apostles. The Magisterium of the Catholic Church (which consists of the Pope and all Bishops in union with him) has the commission from the Lord Jesus to teach in His name. The saints are good examples for us to imitate. The saints are in Heaven. To reject the teachings of the Catholic Church about faith and morals and to reject the good examples of the saints is to reject Jesus Christ Himself. Our Lord Jesus said to His Apostles, "He who hears you hears me. He who rejects you rejects me. And he who rejects me rejects Him Who sent Me." This saying applies to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church also because the teachings of the Apostles about faith and morals are handed down and preserved by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, with the constant help and protection of the Holy Spirit.
To say that one will only listen to Jesus, but not His Church is completely misguided. In fact, that one is clearly not listening to Jesus by refusing to listen to His Church to whom He entrusted the gospel.
When we refuse to call sin for what it is, we are doing ourselves and others a great disservice. When we say that fornication is not sinful, or that the homosexual lifestyle is not sinful, we are doing ourselves and others a great disservice. Fornication, adultery, pornography, masturbation, contraception, the homosexual lifestyle, and all other sins will not stop being sins even if we refuse to call them sinful. We are only deluding ourselves by doing that, and doing a great disservice to ourselves and others.
God bless!