Beyond Compassion: The Need for Discernment in Church Outreach

Compassion with Discernment: A Call for Genuine Empathy in the Church

In today’s society, empathy has become a buzzword that resonates both within the community of Christ followers and the secular world. As churches rush to address the illegal immigration crisis—often collaborating with government entities that may exacerbate the issue or allow it to persist—their actions can inadvertently harm citizens. Similarly, the church frequently aligns itself with advocates of social justice without fully assessing the underlying problems. In doing so, we may overlook the true meaning of social justice: that everyone needs a Savior (John 3:16).

This leads me to question the condition of the church and the motivations behind its political involvement. I find myself asking, “Would Jesus continually support these causes without compassionate discernment?”

In Scripture, Jesus exemplifies wisdom in discerning where His compassion should be directed (Matthew 10:16). His approach is not a lack of love but rather a respect for individual freedom—the freedom to accept or reject the love He offers (Revelation 3:20).

Consider the example of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed. While all were physically healed, only one returned to give thanks (Luke 17:17-19). This account demonstrates Jesus’ universal grace yet also illustrates that healing must serve a higher purpose: to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31) rather than merely satisfying human desires. If the primary goal were to alleviate physical burdens, then Jesus’ decision not to heal everyone during His earthly ministry could be perceived as lacking compassion.

Jesus shows us that true compassion is guided by discernment and flows from the genuineness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). His actions invite us to yield to the guidance of the Father rather than succumbing to external pressures that may seem virtuous or noble (Galatians 1:10).

Imagine if Jesus had healed everyone indiscriminately. Would that reflect the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39)? If not, what would motivate such actions—disobedience or a heart seeking self-satisfaction? We must ask ourselves if we sometimes act in ways that are similarly disobedient to God’s voice (James 1:22).

The Scriptures remind us that our works will be judged, passing through the fire to determine their worth (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). This serves as a caution that not every act deemed “righteous” stems from a divine heart; some may arise from selfish motivations (Isaiah 64:6).

I write this not to criticize generous giving but to encourage a deeper seeking of guidance from the Holy Spirit (James 1:5), so we can better distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). If even Jesus refrained from fulfilling His own and others' needs when it would have dishonored God (Matthew 4:10), how can we overlook the implications of the church's reactionary stance toward contemporary societal trends or political needs?

Ultimately, advocating for compassion with discernment clarifies what true compassion entails. It is not simply responding to every need—whether individual or institutional, especially when it is ongoing (Matthew 6:1-4).

This is where the church often missteps. Many church institutions do not effectively represent the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27); instead, they reflect institutional interests, and churchgoers may embody the church's institutional identity rather than Christ’s (Galatians 2:20). Each individual will be held accountable for how they live their life, and I urge you to evaluate your life through the lens of the Holy Spirit rather than merely intellectualizing what Jesus teaches. If you find yourself intellectualizing Jesus, it may be evident in your communication, which could reflect an understanding more akin to those who do not know Him.

In our mission to reflect Christ's love in the world (John 13:34-35), we must embrace a model of empathy that is both compassionate and discerning. Only through this approach can we truly fulfill the calling to be Christ’s hands and feet in a broken world (Matthew 5:14-16).