Compassionate Christians?

I read a fascinating book written by sociologist, Rodney Stark, “Rise of Christianity”. He describes the first few centuries after Christ: 165 A.D., 251 A.D., 260 A.D., a series of plagues hit the Roman Empire in which thousands died. The pagans, of course faced this time with fear, confusion, even mortal terror, treating one another inhumanly as each individual sought to save himself. Many of them left the area completely, leaving their sick families behind.
But the Christians welcomed this time. Life was so hard anyway they saw this as an easy way to enter heaven. Not only that, they shared real love for their fellow man. When pagan families were deserted by their loved ones Christians came in and nursed them, sometimes getting the diseases themselves and dying as they cared for fellow humans. The Christians even spared nothing in preparing the pagan dead for burial. They welcomed death, believing they would enter heaven.
The pagan world was greatly affected by the compassionate Christians and it led to a great influx of sincere people into the church. Emperor Julian, a pagan, hearing of this sought to set up compassionate communities among the pagans. But they never succeeded because their heart was never in it. It requires Jesus in your heart to truly show compassion to people in the face of death.
Christianity brought a new conception of humanity to a world saturated with cruelty. In this sense virtue is its own reward. I’m not there yet…but I want to go where God leads.
What can happen in our everyday life? Some pretty strange things. Instead of hoping that you'll get a raise, except your wage graciously. When the raise comes, we may even offer to continue working at the old rate. When you go to a restaurant, tip the waiter or waitress more than 15%, more than 20%. Have I lost my mind? Maybe. But the kingdom of heaven is different than the kingdom of this world. Give without expecting in return; forgive liberally as we are forgiven; love without regard to label or obligation; rather than trying to climb up the ladder of success, move down the ladder to success; seek to serve rather than dominate; prefer invitation to force; clean toilets rather than be afraid of dirt. I complain when it rains because I get mud on my shoes…some people have to sleep in it…I’ve been there.
Are these things nuts? Maybe they are, but they are things that speak of Christ's kingdom. Enemies are loved, wash basins replace swords, share power, love aggressively, make peace, flatten hierarchies and behave like children, compassion replaces ambition, equality supersedes competition and achievement, obedience to Christ blots out worldly success, prejudice is non-existent, servant structures replace bureaucracies, we join together in a common life for worship and mutual support. Who are these people? They are citizens of a future kingdom of heaven, now. To become like this will turn the world upside down because we serve another Lord. Be children of the most high and welcome the reign of God each day into our lives and into our world.