Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Student Workbook, SW16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

insights do you need in order to become better able to represent the Lord Jesus where you are, both in your life and ministry?

What’s the Problem, Exactly?

One of the most difficult phenomena to understand is how so many churches which preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the grace of God associated with that Gospel but take oppositional stances toward others. Many today believe that Christianity is that religion that breeds bigotry and hatred toward those who are different than they are. Most of the issues that are championed either for or against usually are connected with those whose lifestyles do not line up with the teaching of Scripture, i.e., homosexuals, pornographers, abortionists, etc. What is usually heard is only our contempt for those whose behaviors that do not line up kingdom values, but never God’s love for all human beings, even those who are sinners. As a result, many reject Christ not because of his offer of grace for sinners but on account of what they perceive in Christians as a mean-spirited narrowness that loves only those who conform to our view of all things political and social. How would you suggest we remedy this problem: is it one of perceptions about us, or something more serious? The notion of “tough love” is one which has circulated through the Christian community for sometime. In summary, this principle suggests that we ought to care for those in need, but not necessarily without qualification. We must make certain that our love actually is helping the person solve the underlying problems that continue to place them in a position of need. This would mean that we would neither give money nor aid without standards, and that we would always follow up on the results of our care to see if in fact it actually aided the situation or not. Others argue that such an approach involves too much attention to details which interfere with our ability to care for others freely. They would suggest that our role is to care for those whom we find in need, period, and leave the sorting out between the “deserving poor” and “undeserving poor” to the Lord. What do you think of these positions–might there be another viewwhich takes into account the insights of both views? Too Many Standards

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