Christianity and Compassion

I feel that unchanging, omnipotent, and omniscient Christian God changes in the Bible. God in the Old Testament is different from God in the New Testament in some ways. The old God emphasizes righteousness and vengeance, as seen in the great flood; whereas, the new God teaches to LOVE.

To save humans, God sends his only son through Virgin Mary. Jesus who is part of the Holy Trinity teaches his followers to love everyone: "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smitheth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also" (Luke 6:27~29). What Jesus says contradicts what is taught in the Old Testament. The Old Testament teaches lex talionis, or law of retribution, which states, "... if a man cause a blemish in his neighbor; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him" (Leviticus 24:19). I don't understand why God who is almighty would ever change his stance, but it appears as if he does. I cannot imagine that God who teaches loving everyone, even enemies, would ever kill everyone to purge rotten earth. Perhaps the Great Flood made God realize cruelty and vengeance is not the answer. (Which would then question his omniscience)

God regretted killing everyone and gave rainbow as a promise never to do it again.

Anyway, the point is that God changed and now teaches compassion for everyone. So shouldn't Christians be practicing these teachings? But history shows that Christians failed to spread the love around the world. In the name of religion, they purged Muslims and other "enemies." Instead of fighting bloody wars with believers of other religions, shouldn't they have loved them?

Christianity has been the reason for many battles and wars throughout history.

Some people say that is all in the past, but is that really true? I mean many people, as many as 75% of Americans, claim to be Christians. Are they real Christians who practice the teachings of Jesus? Yes and no. Some people really do have compassion for the less fortunate and volunteer to help them out. One good example is the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army helps the homeless people, and through their service, they spread the word of God.

They do so much for the poor.

Some people volunteer their time to lead Bible studies in prisons. My old youth group leader was one of them. He'd share his experience every weekend, and he sounded genuinely interested in the welfare of these prisoners. I used to think it was ridiculous that he'd care about people who are pests to the society, but I understand now that he was only following the Word of God: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3).

Yes, they made bad choices in life, but they are still children of God.

It's weird though. Even though some people practice love and compassion. Many Christians don't. If every one of claimed Christians were compassionate and loving, there wouldn't be anyone living on the streets. I mean honestly, if 75% of Americans are true Christians, how could there be homeless people? The truth is many Christians fail to carry out all the specifics required by Christianity. It is hard for upper class white Christians to think that they are "brothers" and "sisters" of lower class minority Christians. It is hard to picture the two together; thus, it is hard for Christians to follow Jesus when he said, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble" (1 Peter 3:8).

The two are so different!