Do You Have Compassion?

Recently I returned home from work to find that my home had been broken into. Although I was upset the Lord kept impressing upon me to have peace about it. Somehow I knew that He was using this for His glory.
A few days later a young man and his mother came to my place of employment. He was a broken man and asked for my forgiveness. As he wept I could feel his pain. He was frightened of going to jail, yet I knew that he was truly sorry for what he had done. Even though I was aware that fear could be the motivation of this jester, I also knew that God was working in this man’s life. I prayed with this family that God would move upon their lives and that they too might have His peace and forgiveness.

To my shock, the responses of other Christians were astounding. The unforgiving spirit was coming from all directions. The judging of this young man’s motives. Although the church should not condone sin, it should not condemn him. The church is to RESTORE a brother or sister. Would a doctor refuse to help one who is sick when it was in his power to heal him. Can we refuse to restore a fellow believer who has sinned, to the fellowship of our family when he has asked for forgiveness.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
If we cannot come to the Church for compassion then how can one possibly know the power of God to change their lives. God’s word commands us to help the weak and not to criticize them.

Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. Verse 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt.? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.


Can we not remember how many times a day that Christ forgives our own sins. Can we not remember that we were accepted in His family when we asked for forgiveness. We have become a generation who does not love. We have lost our compassion for others.

I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Verse 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Church, if we are to be an influence on others for Christ then we must let others see the compassion and love of Christ "in us". Our own deeds and actions can be the deciding factor in someone’s life as to whether they accept Jesus as their personal Savior or not. If they see no difference in us than they see in the world then why should they even become a Christian.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
One of the things that mark the end of this age we read in Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness in increased, most peoples love will grow cold.
Our Heavenly Father has such love for us, even in our sin. Should we not have the same love for our fellow man. Luke 15:18-20 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men." And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion on him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him. When we have sinned our Father is always waiting to give us His forgiveness and is always ready to welcome us back.
It all starts in our own hearts. The Bible says in Matthew 23:25-26 "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also."


My prayer is that we all will have the love of Christ to share with those who need it most. The unlovable need our love!