Compassion for the suffering is next on our list of “Evidence of our Christianity.” Suffering is the state of undergoing physical pain, distress, or hardship. It is an element of life we try to avoid, but it is inevitable that we will experience it at some point. Some seem to experience a life of suffering, while others see very little. In Hebrews 13:3, the writer teaches us to remember those who are bound and suffering. These are those who are imprisoned for their faith, those who are enslaved, or those who are held captive as a prisoner of war. You may not know anyone who fits any of these categories, but we are to pray for them. The word remember implies that we are to have sympathy for them. We are to seek God on their behalf and to have compassion for them. We need to think of ourselves in their place. Sympathy allows us to feel compassion, sorrow, or pity for what others are going through, but empathy allows us to put ourselves in their shoes, and through our deep feelings for them, we can feel with them.
Hebrews 13:3 “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
There are those who are unjustly imprisoned for their faith. Through the organization Voice of the Martyrs we can learn of many around the world who are in prison because they proclaim the name of Christ. Today in Mozambique, there are many Christians who are being persecuted by Islamic extremists for their faith. The compassion of those who are involved with Voice of the Martyrs provides prayers, medical care, temporary shelter, and food and also equips them to be a bold witness. These people and their families desperately need prayer from you and me as they stand for Christ. There are many who have given their lives to spread the gospel in countries where it is against the law to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Another persecution that is worldwide is human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. It is not only the capturing and selling of children and young women but the videoing and selling of sexually explicit images and videos. The Tim Tebow Foundation met with 32 investigators in June 2024 in Europe. This is a summary of the report. “The investigators analyzed tens of thousands of child sexual exploitation images and videos, along with over 10 million lines of online conversations between approximately 12,000 unique criminal customer accounts and 100 seller accounts. The operational sprint resulted in the production of information packages, which may lead national authorities of 24 countries to 197 buyers of children for the purpose of child abuse.” Fellow Christians, this ought to break your heart and cause you to have a burden for these children. Jesus truly sorrows for the wickedness done to these children. Jesus loves children!
Mar 10:13–16 “And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”
God has given us so much and so many opportunities where we can pray and help relieve the persecution of others. We can see what is going on in other countries from the comfort of our homes. We can know the needs, and we can pray, but James teaches us that we are to help by putting our feet on our prayers. We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. If we see someone with a need and we don’t try to help, we have deceived ourselves. In verse 15, if one of the brethren needs clothing or food, we are to help. This is how we prove we are disciples of Christ we obey and act as His hands and feet in this world.
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
James 2:15-17 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them, not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
We are not to bury our minds and hearts with the pleasures of this world and act as if everything is fine. We are left here, after salvation, to tell and to show others who Jesus is. Suffering is a reality, and we must show compassion for those who are suffering. We need to pray for them daily, and where we can aid them with relief, we must do so.
Is there someone you know that needs your help today?
