Empathy, Compassion, and Unity: Lessons from the Wesley’s for Our Polarized World 

An Exploration of Practical Faith in Turbulent Times 

Anchor verse – 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8 

Introduction 

I have spent the last few weeks discussing perspectives around the current geopolitical and faith crises we are observing all around us. As we observe daily in the media sources, the world is increasingly polarized, and truth has become a subjective experience that is hard to nail down.   

A message urging people to recognize their shared humanity, to step into another’s shoes, and to prioritize love and compassion over division is essential. As Desmond Tutu said, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”  

In this post, I want to explore empathy, compassion and unity and how we can better represent these characteristics in our daily walk and in our church communities.   

Reflecting on John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism, they appear to approach the ideas of empathy, compassion, and unity as inseparable from true Christian faith and the pursuit of “holiness.” Their approach was deeply practical and theological, viewing these virtues not just as good feelings, but as “works of mercy” necessary for both the transformation of the individual and the renewal of society. 

A Call to Empathy and Compassion 

In an old post I wrote, I talked about the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The word “ubuntu” is from some southern African languages, and it literally means “humanness.” To have ubuntu is to be a person who is living a genuinely human way of life, whereas to lack ubuntu is to be missing human excellence. At its heart, Ubuntu is about being truly seen and acknowledged as whole beings through our connections with others. It’s the idea that “I am because we are,” emphasizing that our identities and well-being are intertwined with the community around us.  

When we see each other as we are, we bow deeply into the interconnectedness of each other. In an interconnected way, we see each other’s humanness, not the labels we put on each other – black, white, brown – male or female. We begin to prioritize love and compassion over division. We begin to embody Desmond Tutu’s message of shared humanity.  

The Wesleyan Perspective on Empathy, Compassion, and Unity 

I am a Wesleyan by training, my reflections are often rooted in the quadrilateral at the end of the day. When we address the research around how the Wesley’s integrated empathy, compassion and unity into their theology and practice, we find theologically John and Charles Wesley viewed empathy and compassion as inseparable from the pursuit of Christian holiness. Maddox’s work, Responsible Grace, discusses how Wesley emphasized “works of mercy”—acts of compassion and social engagement—as essential to spiritual growth, not just optional practices. This aligns with the Wesleyan understanding that faith must be lived out through active love for neighbor. (Maddox, R.L., Responsible Grace: John Wesley’s Practical Theology, Abingdon, 1994).  

As a means of practice, you immediately see with the early Methodists the establishment of hospitals, schools, and relief for the poor, demonstrating practical empathy and compassion.  

Compassion and Empathy as Works of Mercy 

In our deeply disturbed time, we want to other the neighbor as some sort of enemy. We want to cast them out with our racist words and actions. We then hide behind the moniker “Christian” and influential preachers and politicians have thousands of people lining up to support them. This is directly contrary to the brown skinned Jew who lived in first century Palestine.  

Jesus demonstrates for us the love of God through his love of neighbor by teaching that loving others is a fundamental commandment, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where he emphasizes practical help and compassion for those in need. This love reflects God’s unconditional and sacrificial love, encouraging us to treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their background. 

When we see empathy as a means of grace, we allow ourselves to connect more deeply with others. In this manner, we share in the experiences and suffering of those around us. By connecting with one another, we nurture compassion and understanding, demonstrating the love and grace that Christians are encouraged to share. Recognizing each other’s humanity allows us to experience community as members of God’s commonwealth. This perspective pushes us to strive not only for charity but also for social justice.  

Unity: The Essence of Social Holiness 

The phrase “no holiness but social holiness,” is attributed to John Wesley, and is frequently cited in academic literature as a core principle for Methodist community life. Unity, for the Wesley’s, was not uniformity of opinion but mutual affection and service. Kenneth J. Collins’s research shows that Wesley’s idea of a “Catholic Spirit” encouraged Christians to love across differences, prioritizing unity in Christ over doctrinal disputes. (Collins, K.J., The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace, Abingdon, 2007).  

If we are going to exist as Methodists for the 21st century and beyond, we must reflect on our tradition, where our “societies” were models for community and service. Historically, these societies first originated with Wesley and then spread throughout England and later across the globe, encouraged members to do good, avoid harm, and engage in communal support, reflecting the core values of Methodism. Love was and is a central theme in Wesley’s teachings and was a core value of these early societies.  

To foster such unity in our present context, we must commit ourselves to intentional acts of listening, bridge-building, and hospitality, especially toward those with whom we may disagree. This means creating sacred spaces where diverse voices are welcomed and valued, and actively seeking reconciliation when conflict arises. By practicing humility and being willing to learn from the experiences and perspectives of others, we embody the spirit of social holiness that the Wesley’s championed—a unity not based on sameness, but on a shared commitment to love, justice, and the flourishing of all people. 

Unity during times of adversity involves adopting a spirit of inclusiveness and cooperation. When we incorporate these elements into our daily routine, we reflect Wesley’s notion of unity and the essence of social holiness.  

In Closing – Living Out Empathy, Compassion, and Unity Today 

To close, I have spent time here really reflecting our tradition and demonstrating how we as inheritors of the Wesleyan tradition are challenged to recognize our shared humanity and actively embody empathy, compassion and unitity in a polarized world. 

Our challenge is to take these ideas this week and engage in acts of mercy – such as helping those in need, creating spaces for diverse voices, and practicing hospitality and listening. Early Methodists modeled these principles through community service, charity, and mutual support, emphasizing that faith must be lived out in tangible ways that foster social justice and inclusion. 

Engaging in these acts, we are transformed when we break down barriers and build bridges with our communities. We are challenged by the Wesleyan perspective teaches that inward spiritual growth naturally leads to practical expressions of love and justice. Through humility, reconciliation, and active engagement with those who are different, Christians can embody the spirit of social holiness championed by the Wesley’s—making unity, compassion, and empathy integral to daily life and faith practice.