Free Will diminishes Compassion?

near this neighborhood and hearing countless stories from the homeless and those that work on their behalf I do not disagree with the latter half of this statement, though I lament the first. My sadness does not result from self- righteous incredulity, as this is a common sentiment that I have often felt myself. I merely think that this perspective is what keeps people from participating in changing the homeless situation.

If recognizing free choice prevents one from handing out a dollar at traffic stops this is justifiable and perhaps even commendable, but if free choice threatens to undermine the compassion that God calls us to, we are living with more than just a theological inconsistency. Free will is one of the biggest risks and gifts bestowed upon humankind and how much more malevolent would we perceive a God who gave us the burden of free will and then refused us compassion and help upon our frequent misuse. If we have ever received compassion when we have chosen poorly in small things, how can we not extend the same grace to those who have chosen poorly in matters of larger consequence. When sin abounds let us ask for the heart to have the compassion it takes to embody God’s heart in which grace abounds all the more.