Journey In His Presence - Unity - Part 4
Writer Author Yvonne Mullen
Christian Column
:
Devotionals
- Fiction No
UNITY in the body of Christ,
an unattainable goal or a reality for a Christ focused church?
I am sorry that I haven't written in a while. My kids have finally gone back to school and that organizing event has taken a toll on my time. But I am back and ready to continue on this theme of Unity. Today we are going to take a look at compassion. During the sermon at church on Sunday, the definition of compassion came to me. Compassion is putting your faith into action. The psalmist David writes in:
Psalm 86:15 "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth."
In the New Testament, compassion was the direct motive for at least five of Jesus' miracles. One of those miracles was the feeding of the five thousand, which can be found in:
Matthew 14:14 "And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick."
Mark 8:2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat."
So we find from just a few Scriptures that God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, are full of compassion. If we believe the Scriptures, that we are made in God's image, then we too should be full of compassion. Yes? Our faith in God and our relationship with Jesus Christ should propel us forward into showing compassion to others Therefore, putting our faith into action is compassion. Compassion is extending our hands out to others and pulling them out of the muck. Giving them hope instead of watching them get sucked further into the mud. It's being the witnesses we are called to be. It's preaching the gospel always-using words if necessary.
Our compassion for others should be done to glorify God not ourselves. Jesus was always moved to compassion. He healed many out of that compassion. Our God is compassionate. Compassion is meeting others where they are and showing them God's love and His never ending mercy for His children.
1 Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."
These are not just words these are the Word. Sent forth by God our Father. Even if we find that we are being insulted, we are to bless those who curse us. By the same token, we are not to let others fall when it is in our power to prevent it.
Jude 22-23 "And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh."
So, we are to warn, exhort and save others from error when possible. But not to judge them. We are to let the Holy Spirit convict them through the words God gives us to speak to them. We are not to let our own flesh get in the way, so that we boast about our walk and do not glorify God. For all we do for God, should glorify God not ourselves.
So, spread compassion! God gives us compassion and in return we should show others compassion. And as always:
"but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things in Him who is the head-Christ-" Ephesians 4:15
My prayer for today is, "Lord God thank you so much for loving us unconditionally and showing us great compassion. Show us through the power of Your Holy Spirit how to share that compassion with others, so that they may see that You love them and seek to have a relationship with them. Teach us to meet Your people where they are and to show them Your love. To You be all the glory and honor. Amen."
In His Unending Love
Your Sister In Christ,
Yvonne
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