Got Compassion?

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12


Have you noticed that in catastrophic situations such as 9/11 or the recent tsunami disaster, the absolute best of humanity readily shines through? We freely demonstrate unbridled giving and compassion when it comes to helping masses of theoretically faceless, unknown, people on a large scale. People coming together from all parts of the world as one body, unselfishly helping the ones in need is indeed awe inspiring. I imagine that God is pleased.

On the flip side, I have been disappointed in what I see in myself and in mankind in general, when it comes to demonstrating compassion on a much smaller scale...especially with people that we do not know well or at all. When presented with the situation of the person crying alone in the hospital waiting room, or the upset co-worker with whom we interact everyday, on a one on one basis, we seemingly fall flat on our faces. It seems that when it comes down to demonstrating compassion in those types of instances, we use such cop-outs such as, "It's none of my business," "I don't know him/her," or "How do I know he/she is not crazy?" "I'm in a hurry, and I can't be late!"

The Spirit of God inside of us cries out, urging us to demonstrate the compassion of Christ towards the person in need. And generally what do we do? We ignore Him...repeatedly. In this sense, we are behaving like the multitude of faceless businesses and corporations by not recognizing the whole person, the inner person and their personal state of need...not being the Spirit filled beings that we are. We generally behave as if it is safer or better for us 'not to see' the person in need, than to have to step out of our own comfort zones to address them. In this light, I'm not accusing anyone here, but I'm asking several 'point blank' questions for you ask yourselves:

How many times have you turned your head and pretended not to see a person that you could have reached out to?

Why do you do that?

What keeps you from reaching out?

Fear? Fear of the unknown?

Fear of potential embarrassment?

Fear of having to actually do something?

Fear that it may cost us something?

Fear that we'll be late going to our destination?

As it is, it is only by God's magnificent grace that we ourselves are not the ones in need.

Perhaps the next time the opportunity presents itself to demonstrate the compassion and love of Christ, these scriptures may come to mind:

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25: 31-45

Hold on, hold on, hold on! Before you try to beat me down, I am NOT saying that you are compelled to automatically go to the aid of every homeless man you pass on the sidewalk, or all of the beggars at the traffic lights or every commercial that comes on TV asking for your monetary support! What I am saying is to listen to the Spirit of God within yourself. He speaks to you all the time. He will lead you and guide you. He will let you know which opportunities are for you to step in. You will know. This is where discernment and wisdom from God play a big role. When the time comes for your opportunity to reach out in compassion, to someone hurting or in need, do not be afraid.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:6-8 (KJV)

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Phillipians 2: 1-3

Ready? Set. Go!

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