My church is in a really cool transition right now, and one of the new ideas that has been taught is that contemporary discipleship begins with compassion. Let me explain…
So often, Christian’s have received a bad reputation because they are seen as hypocrites, judgmental, and condemning of anyone who will not conform to their beliefs. (It’s not my purpose to debate whether it’s deserved.) As a result, many people in our culture have been turned off of Christianity resulting in our culture being described as “post-Christian”. So…how can I respond as someone who wants others to know the same Jesus that I do?
Interestingly, one of my favorite authors has recently abandoned the title of Christian. If someone asks him whether he is a Christian or not, he would say no. Shocked? Blasphemy? I would say that he’s prbly on to something…he does not identify himself with the “Christian” religion. Rather, he makes it known that he is a follower of Jesus. It seems that most people like Jesus, just not His followers. Even Ghandi said “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.”
I’m reminded of the time that some scribes and pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. According to Jewish law, the punishment was to be killed by stoning. What was Jesus’ response? “He who is without sin among you, let him {be the} first to throw a stone at her.” After everyone had left, Jesus says to the woman, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
He had every right to condemn this woman; yet Jesus responded with compassion. Perhaps if I go and do the same, seeing someone in need and doing something to help him or her, I will have the opportunity to introduce them to the Jesus I know. Isn’t that what discipleship is?