What is True Biblical Compassion and Grace?
What is the Compassion?
“And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.” 2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Compassion is speaking the truth and helping people make the transition from darkness to light, if they let you, no matter what the cultural practices that surrounds us even in our churches. Compassion is not validating anyone’s sin.
If a doctor knew that his patient had a fatal disease and never told the patient the truth regarding the severity of the disease and He even knows of a treatment to help correct that fatal disease, but withheld that information because he did not want the patient to be upset and have to change all of their desires and plans, would He be considered compassionate? No.
In a spiritual sense there is a disease of sin in all of our lives that we daily have to have to put to death through the Holy Spirit. If we withhold the truth or ignore the truth that can help people overcome this battle or twist God’s word so people won’t be upset, or feel hurt, this is not compassion but abuse. Some of the most compassionate people I know always tell the truth that comes from the scriptures, no matter if it is popular or not.
The most compassionate man ever to walk the earth was Jesus. He warned people they needed to Repent (Turn from their practicing sin) or they would go to place of eternal punishment.
“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:5
There is a great promotion in the churches that there is no Hell. This teaching is in total disagreement with Jesus. (More on this at the bottom of the page)
Is Jesus still compassionate for telling us the following story? Yes, He is warning us all now is the time for salvation.
Jesus said "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. "Then he cried and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
"Then he said, "I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."' Luke 12:4-5
The Word (Truth) is like a sword and is full of compassion. It is warning us to conform our ways to God’s ways and if there is no pattern of us doing this we will pay the eternal price. Jesus told me. It is in His word.
In Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to use the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God to fight the devil’s schemes. Today, many of today’s “professing” believers boldly pronounce that if you use the Word of God (Sword) to go against sin and satan you are becoming a legalist. Some teachers will say that “it is a spirit of religion” to show scriptures about repentance to help people change from sinful ways. To put it in perspective, it would be like a general telling an American Soldier to go down the streets of Baghdad and defeat the sniper without any type of weapon! The Word, which works with the Holy Spirit, is all we have to guide us in ultimate truth. If we do not use this spiritual sword, we will be led into everlasting torture!
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. “ Hebrews 4:12-13
Jeremiah being inspired by God says:
"Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29
What is Grace?
God inspired Paul to say:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Titus 2:11-15
God inspired Paul again to say:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” Romans 6:1-3
God inspired Jude to say:
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,(lust of flesh) and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
God’s grace does not make an unrighteous act righteous.
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31
People have been trying to do this for years. Here is what Jeremiah told the “professing believers of God” in His day:
"Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, "We are delivered to do all these abominations'? Jeremiah 7:8-10
“If Grace is making people feel comfortable about their sin that is not compassion but abuse.”
In Matthew 25:31-46 the Bible teaches that at the final judgment while the righteous
will enter heaven to enjoy everlasting life, the wicked will go into eternal
punishment. The thought of everlasting suffering is repulsive to many. No doubt
this aversion lies at the bottom of much of the unbelief to what the Bible teaches
about hell. Hell, despite the denials of many, is real. Sin demands it. Sin is a violation of the law of God (1 John 3:4). If there were no punishment for sin, then there could be no law for law without penalty is null and void. If there is no law, there would be no sin. That would make the death of Jesus useless because if there is no sin there is no responsibility to save anyone from it. The reality of life after death also demands the reality of hell. Jesus taught, in Matthew 22:23-33, that there was life after physical death. In the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), two distinct destinies are presented: comfort for the righteous but punishment for the wicked. Hell was originally prepared for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Jude 6 statesthat fallen angels are placed in chains awaiting judgment. Yet, when men and women join the devil in his work and live in servitude to him, they must suffer the same fate that will befall him.
Hell Not Contrary To The Nature of God
Many people find it difficult to accept the reality of hell because they cannot believe
that a loving and merciful God could create such a place. But hell is not contrary
to the nature of God. If no punishment were given for violation of His law, then
God would not be just. Being a just God, He will reward the righteous and punish
the wicked. Hell is to punish the wicked.
What Hell Is Like
Hell is eternal. It is described that way in Matthew 25:46. In Romans 16:26 God is
said to be eternal. The Holy Spirit, in Hebrews 9:14, is also described as eternal.
The same word in the Greek language in which the New Testament was originally
written was used in all three of these passages. The word means eternal,everlasting, without end, never to cease. Hell and the punishment meted out there will last as long as God. It will last eternally, forever. Hell is a place of darkness. Jude 13 speaks of “the blackness of darkness” to which false teachers will be confined forever. God is light (1 John 1:5) and the Father of lights (Jas. 1:17). Hell is described as darkness because it is the place farthest removed from God. There will be no God to listen to pleas for mercy or give hope of release. Hell is a place of fire. Matthew 13:42 speaks of it as a furnace of fire. Matthew 25:41 calls it an everlasting fire. Mark 9:44-45 says the fire is never quenched.
Revelation 21:8 refers to it as the lake of fire. There will be no relief from its fires
because Revelation 14:11 says the smoke from the fires of torment ascends forever. There is no rest there. Revelation 14:11 says the wicked will have no rest from their torment day or night. As there is no rest, there will be no relief. The rich man in Luke 16, awaiting the final judgment in Tartarus, wanted a drop of water to cool his tormented tongue but he did not get it.
Who Will Go to Hell
As already noted, Satan and his angels will be there (Matt. 25:41). Revelation 21:8
says the “cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars” will be there. Those who do not know God and those who will not everlasting destruction (2 Thes. 1:7-9). In short, all who choose to remain in their sins will be found in hell.
Why People Will Go There
God desires that all be saved (1 Tim. 2:1-4). God is all-powerful and the gospel, His power to save (Rom. 1:16), can save to the uttermost. People will not be in hell because God will not save them. He sent His Son into the world so that all might have salvation (John 3:16) and He has invited all who would to come to Him (Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17). If a person ends up in hell, he is lost by his own free choice. He has no one to blame but himself. Many see no need to be interested in spiritual things and are indifferent to the pleas of the gospel. Others refuse to obey the gospel or submit to the will of God. Some refuse to believe. Others just love sin more than righteousness. Some become unfaithful in service. Many put off obeying until it is too late.
Conclusion
Hell is real. The suffering of it is waiting for the sinful. You can escape the torments found there by giving obedience to Christ now. He will wash away the guilt of your sins and grant you hope of a life of eternal bliss in His presence.
© 1994, Gene Taylor. All Rights Reserved.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 says “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:16-21 says “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.’
