823. ROM 12:15. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
Rom_12:15. Christian Sympathy
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."’97Rom_12:15.
Christianity embraces within its range all conceivable good. In many cases, it does so in detail. Hence, in reference to the duties we owe to our fellowmen, we have often the very minuti’e6 presented to us. As in relative duties, those between parents and children, husbands and wives, masters and servants, rulers and subjects. Then there are also great principles developed, which lead us out into the spirit to be cherished, and the actions to be performed towards all men. Now among these we notice, that involved in the text, namely, Sympathy. Rejoicing with the happy, weeping with the sorrowful.
Now, this law is one of those in which the benevolence of Deity is conspicuously displayed. For constituted as we are, much of our enjoyment depends on it. Under both aspects, whether the sympathy of joy in their felicity, or of sorrow in their afflictions, it is alike precious and important. Let us then look at it in its general bearings and importance. We will,
I. Endeavor to comprehend its true nature.
And,
II. Urge to its constant and universal exercise.
Let us, then,
I. Endeavor to comprehend its true nature.
Now, sympathy may be defined’97kindredness of feeling, oneness of emotion. Now, in physics, we see something like this in the law of attraction. Hence, certain things attract each other, as is observed in the loadstone, and particular bodies, how it draws and unites them. So, also, other electrical substances. Now we see this further developed in the animal economy. Mere animals sympathize with each other. Hence they enjoy food and recreation in each others’ company. They flee together in peril, and warn one another of danger. They suffer also, if their mates are in distress and agony. Now, this sympathy of animal instinct is beautiful; and it is interesting to observe its development. But the highest description of sympathy, is that to which the text urgeth us, as intelligent and moral beings, to feel with, and for one another; so that, if one weeps, we weep; or if one rejoiceth, we also rejoice. Now this element of sympathy is implanted within us, and is, therefore, natural to us. For instance: if you were on a river by night, and heard the cry of one apparently drowning, you are acted upon at once; and the first impulse would be, to make every effort to rescue the object in danger. Or, if you see one suffering, you intensely feel desirous of administering relief. A person enveloped in flames, or a person on the verge of a precipice, would instantly excite you to sympathy. And this feeling can even come upon you, without seeing or hearing the object of sympathy; for if you read of a person in keen suffering, it at once acts on your emotions; and you are excited with commiseration.
Now, this sympathetic feeling, religion is to cultivate; and we are to cherish it in the highest possible degree. Religion opens fresh views of human misery, and gives scope to the emotions which mere humanity would never recognize. It enters into the spiritual region. It regards the souls of men. It feels for those who feel not for themselves. It blushes for those who have no shame. It weeps for those who weep not on their own behalf. It fears for those who fear not. It desires the eternal welfare of those who desire it not at all. Now this high-toned tender spiritual sensibility, is to be cherished by the Christian. Let us, then,
II. Urge to its constant and universal exercise.
Christians should thus sympathize on every possible ground; but, especially,
1. Because it is in harmony with the law of our being.
Its ordinary exercise, we have shown you, mere animals exhibit. So our fellowmen, without religion, often strongly display it; therefore the Christian, to be indifferent to it, is to sink his religious character below that of the brute instinct; and thus descend into the lowest kind of debasement. To exercise the emotions rightly, is to answer the end of our wondrous conformation. For this, the sensitive nervous system was placed within us. The heart made soft’97the eye quick to. observe’97and the ear to catch the sounds vibrating on it. And, therefore, we repeat, as you are defective here, you are below the standard of manhood and humanity. In this way, you sin against the very elements and constitution of your being; and so far you defeat the noble purposes for which you were destined.
We should exhibit this spirit of sympathy,
2. Because of its magnificent embodiment in the life and spirit of Jesus.
The law demands this, as expressed, and thus written’97"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Every man loves himself; and the result is, every part of the body sympathizes with every other part; and so the body with the head and heart, and the mind with the body, hand, or the foot. Now this the law of God demands from us, as it was first written, on the table of stone, by the finger of Jehovah. But, see, to make it more expressive, God constitutes his Son a human being’97a perfect man’97one made like unto us in all things; and he calls on the whole intellectual universe to behold the law of sympathy, living and acting in Christ. It brought him from his throne, into this debased world. It made him a man of sorrows and griefs. It filled his lips with blessings, and his hands with mercies. It caused him to travel about, seeking objects of pity, and compassionate help. It arrested him whenever sorrow’s moans were heard. Hence, the cry of the blind men fastened him to the spot,’97he stood still, stayed in his course, till he had responded to their piteous appeal. It knew no distinction of objects’97a ruler’s daughter or a blind beggar, were alike regarded. It healed the righteous and the wicked. It rejected none, and welcomed all who cried for help. It never wearied, and never gave up. When Jesus was arrested, it felt and pleaded for the disciples who were in peril. When ascending the hill of Calvary, and when women’s plaints rent the air, Christ was so touched, that he seemed to forget all his own sorrows. When dying, it sympathized with the victims of misery, and ignorance, and sin; and pleaded for divine forgiveness. A world’s guilt, brought a world’s curse and condemnation; and Christ sympathized with the perishing race of men, and had both transferred to himself. Hence, "He bore our sins in his own body on the tree." Here was the law of sympathy in all its moral grandeur’97without the least selfish alloy; and it was in constant exercise, and extended to all mankind. Well might angels wonder, and God delight in his Son; and say in reply to his prayer’97"I have glorified thee, and will glorify thee again."
3. Because all the influences of religion tend to this end.
True religion draws the heart to God; and, at the same time, extends its tender regards to men. The love of God fills it with love to man; and love to man, too, is the evidence of our love to God. Religion softens the heart, and enlarges it. Religion without sympathy is a byword’97a delusion’97and an impossibility. Religion, if it is efficient, destroys that which is antagonistical to sympathy’97selfishness. It cherishes that from which sympathy springs and flows’97love. Thus it will be manifest, that all the influences of religion must tend to this good and benevolent end. No law of nature is more certain than this divine law of God in the soul. And as water flows downward, and as sparks fly upward, so the grace of God softens and expands the soul, destroying coldness and isolation, and filling it with the genial and lovely impulses of pity and compassion. But more, we should cherish this spirit of sympathy,
4. Because the exercise of this, more than any thing else, tends to promote true religion.
Now, just see how it does this.
(1.) It does it within our own hearts. As we cherish this spirit, we grow in likeness to Jesus, we rise in assimilation to the nature of our heavenly Father; for God is love; and they who dwell in love, dwell in
God. This is the domain of the greatest of the graces. It is the operation of divine love in the soul. Besides, this will insure the smile of God, and the bestowal of all the other graces of the Spirit. God delights to see the reflection of his moral likeness; and we never please God more, than when we thus follow him as dear children. For God is not only love, but he dwells in this benignant moral atmosphere, so that, when filled with this spirit, we are nearest and dearest to our Father in heaven.
(2.) It will promote religion with others. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." Men ought to see a religion full of Christ’s spirit and character’97a religion full of his life. Metaphysical disquisitions may amuse, and even interest the learned’97systems of wiredrawn doctrines gratify sects; but the world wishes to see a religion with a heart, with a soul in it; and let this grand law be seen in full operation in the Christian church, and infidelity would stand abashed, the world would be constrained to admire; and the result would be, that multitudes would say,’97"we will go with you, for surely God is with you, of a truth; and you are the seed, which he hath blessed."
We do not undervalue the manifestation of truth, or its defence, by talent or scholarship,’97neither do we question for a moment the importance of maintaining the gospel in all its glorious purity; but with these, and along with the influence thus put forth, we want the goodness of religion to be seen, its deep-toned sympathies exhibited. The benevolent heart of religion to be seen, as well as its intellectual head. Religion, like its founder, must be an incarnation; and that must be an incarnation like his’97of love and mercy to the world. And there is a potency in this, which no abstract doctrines possess’97which no creed can suffice for’97and for which no flaming profession can be a sufficient apology. We must have the soul endowed with the pure love of God, and the life flowing with tender susceptibilities. Prove that your religion is unselfish and full of love, and then even skeptics to your creed will do homage to your life.
Then, in conclusion, we see,
1. What is so greatly wanted. It is the constant and universal exercise of this principle. Like light and air, it should permeate and surround the world. It should be to the world of mind, what the law of gravitation is to the physical universe,’97it should bind all together, and keep all in beautiful harmony, and moral loveliness.
How blessed will be our earth, when all the abodes of men shall be hallowed by this law of sympathy. When all the relationships of life shall be sanctified by it. When it shall hold in holy union all classes of society. When it shall make all colors and nations of men shake hands with each other. Then, neither fleets nor armies will be needful. Cruelty and oppression will cease to exist; and the world will be one vast Paradise regained. Then will be realized what John saw in vision. See Rev_21:1-3.
2. We see what is the great element of opposition to this. It is’97selfishness. The carnal heart, cold, isolated, unfeeling. And while this is the soul’s great evil, it is also its greatest curse. As there can be no moral culture in that condition, so there can be no real enjoyment. This is the essential law of the moral world’97that the most loving are the most happy; just as God is the most happy and blessed, because he is the most benevolent.
Now this moral law in its character and results must ever hold, unless God could cease to be good, and thus cease to be the benevolent legislator of the world; and the great example for the holy imitation of all his moral offspring.
To enjoy’97as God enjoys, to be happy as he is’97of course, in our finite degree, then we must be the subjects of his love, and show forth the spirit of the text in "rejoicing with those that rejoice, and weeping with those that weep." And the great hindrance to this, our natural sinful selfishness, is an operative in preventing the joyous, as it is in preventing the sorrowful aspects of the text. It in the one case leads to envy, and in the other it tends to indifference. So that this selfish weed must be plucked up by the roots, or we cannot exhibit true Christian sympathy, under either of its aspects. A loving heart will only rejoice with the happy, or weep with the distressed.
Finally,’97How great the sphere for its exercise in this world; and how adapted to dispose us for the next.
What scenes of varied and accumulated distress surround us! what objects of pity! what scenes of sadness! what abodes of wretchedness! what physical destitution’97mental misery’97and moral peril! what a field for compassion, and effort, and self-denial, does the world present! Then let the spirit of the text be cherished to the utmost, and ever be freely developed, as means and opportunity be afforded to us. Thus carrying out the precept of the apostle’97doing good unto all men, but especially remembering the household of faith.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS