Christian Service

Sympathy and Sociability

In every department of the cause of God, there is need of men and women who have sympathy for the woes of humanity; but such sympathy is rare.—The Review and Herald, May 6, 1890. ChS 232.5

We need more of Christlike sympathy; not merely sympathy for those who appear to us to be faultless, but sympathy for poor, suffering, struggling souls, who are often overtaken in fault, sinning and repenting, tempted and discouraged. We are to go to our fellow men, touched, like our merciful High Priest, with the feeling of their infirmities.—Gospel Workers, 141. ChS 232.6

As a people we lose much by lack of sympathy and sociability with one another. He who talks of independence and shuts himself up to himself, is not filling the position that God designed he should. We are children of God, mutually dependent upon one another for happiness. The claims of God and of humanity are upon us. We must all act our part in this life. It is the proper cultivation of the social elements of our nature that brings us into sympathy with our brethren, and affords us happiness in our efforts to bless others.—Testimonies 4:71, 72. ChS 233.1

The Saviour was a guest at the feast of a Pharisee. He accepted invitations from the rich as well as the poor, and, according to His custom, He linked the scene before Him with His lessons of truth.—Christ's Object Lessons, 219. ChS 233.2