Episode 61 Returning to Civility, Compassion and Empathy

As Christians we should be setting the bar high in the way we speak, care and have compassion for people. The world has lost their collective mind. People are just not kind, patient and understanding with one another. Unfortunately, many Christians are being pulled into the vortex that seems to be causing people to no longer know how to be civil with one another. I would contend in the strongest terms that Jesus is calling us to live at a much higher level of maturity. There is a term that many are throwing around today - empathy. Empathy is a great word. With great meaning. What our culture calls empathy I call "toxic" empathy". It is good to feel for people; to care for people, but we can do that without agreeing with them when they are wrong or behaving badly. However, it is vital that we look with understanding and caring at why people act and say what they do. On the cross Jesus said - "Father forgive them for they know not what they do". Can you imagine? He was still showing concern for people who were killing Him. That is powerful empathy, civility and compassion. This podcast is a discussion about how we can better respond as Christians in world with growing civil unrest.