Bible Text: Luke 6:35-36 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble.”
Compassion is a great word which coveys a positive feeling and is best effective when backed up with actions. It’s like the faith with works ideology and though we have been called to be compassionate, obedience to instructions or directions remains one of the most difficult things to lockdown. Some people can theoretically tell you their position and where they stand on various issues but often the practically of those theories just doesn’t exist.
We live in a world where people are moved by what people say so now people just practically go about saying enticing words that gets them approval of men and having achieved that, fail to back their words up with commensurate actions. Unfortunately, the practicality behind Christianity might be a difficult fit into those with this mindset. Such might find it easier to embrace the theory.
Whiles the world battles with its challenges for the past few months, Christians all over the world also focused on passion in the past week in relation to the death, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The passion week is a reminder of God in action, practically bringing the word “LOVE” to light by honoring His word over 2000years ago. This He practically fulfilled through sacrificing His Only Son, Jesus as an act of compassion to move us from death to eternal live and from the era of law to grace.
The whole of Christianity is summarized as Love, Matthew 22:37-40 but how can you then say you love anyone without compassion?
We see the ministry of Jesus and most of the things Jesus practically did was out of compassion. The first miracle Jesus performed at the marriage at Cana transforming water into wine was purely based on compassion. Jesus’s mothers was moved with compassion for the bridegroom who might have been embarrassed for running out of wine to entertain His guests. Knowing the capabilities of her born son Jesus, she intervened. Jesus could have insisted not to do it but what type of son will that make Him? John 2:1-11.
Whiles some say but what use is my compassion, I don’t have much to give out, the idea of compassion is not in the quantity but in quality. You are better that the majority of the people you know because in you lays a special blessing only available to Gods children and whiles you May not know it, I am here to remind you that it is time to act. Yes, your time has come.
Jesus has not suggested compassion to us, He used the word “must” and that becomes an order from God that we Christians live and breathe compassion. Jesus was filled with compassion till His last breath. Even amongst the pain and troubled heart, He dishes out his last act of mercy to those who nailed Him to the cross and mocked Him, not forgetting one of the thieves being executed alongside Him, Luke 23:32-43.
Your blessing comes from hearing the word of God and doing it, Luke 11:28, and this is one of the beautiful things that pleases God. Find someone today who you know cannot repay you, might not repay you, or you are not expecting to repay you, show love to them in whatever capacity you are able to “and you will be blessed, because they are not able to pay you back. God will repay you on the day the good people rise from death.” Luke 14:14.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank you for your love and compassion towards me and my household
- Thank you for your grace and unending favor which I daily experience
- I receive the zeal to show unconditional love and be practical in my compassion to others.
- Empower me O Lord to be obedient to Your commandment
- Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
- Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
