Compassion

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.


We perceive the love of God…our perception of how God loves us is knowing that He laid down His life for us. We hear of people who in trying to help others lose their lives and we call them heroes. We know in history of people who voluntarily die so others don't have to. Again we call them heroes and in truth their actions are heroic. Giving up your life voluntarily isn't something many would do.


In our day and age we find it hard to put our selves out on little things, and we try and console our conscience with the belief that if we REALLY had to we could lay down our lives for our fellowman.


Sure, I might count it a burden to be asked to do something for you (especially if I'm in the middle of doing something I want to do, or have to do), but ask me to die for you and I'm right on it. Is that logical? Is it self-deception? If we can't be kind to our brethren in small things why do we delude ourselves into believing we'll be able to do something much more spectacular later on if needed? The whole - I'll be there when you REALLY need me, but not in all these little things can be explained away. We see it in movies and read it in books don't we? The grumpy ol' guy ending up being the sweet, caring man because of some big life transforming would be tragedy he found in his heart to avert at the very last moment. It's the Grinch Who Stole Christmas story told in a thousand ways so it's no wonder people believe that when it really matters they'll be able to come through. Do people ever stop to ask themselves what if there is no grand finale? What if their life is wholly made up of countless opportunities to show love in the small things? I'm not saying that we shouldn't be ready to 'lay down our lives for the brethren.' We should, but read on...


1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?


God's love cannot dwell in us if we don't have compassion for others in all things, in little things, when they are in need. How compassionate are we? In a world where we have supposedly comedic television shows recording people humiliating others, watching others humiliate themselves, and we know someone is behind that camera showing NO compassion at all, it makes me sick to my stomach. People are enjoying the misfortune of others, using them for their amusement, to make money. No, the entire world doesn't lack compassion- we have other shows televising special concerts and such to raise money to help the needy. There is a lot of compassion, but there is also a huge lack of compassion. We have to answer to God only for ourselves and our own actions. Do we lack compassion? Have we hardened our hearts to others wanting them to fend for themselves just like we have to? How far does our compassion extend- does it reach to the completely undeserving? Do we try and determine who really deserves our compassion? Does the abusive drug addict deserve our compassion? Do we give money to a homeless person who is shaking from withdrawal? Do we only let our compassion go so far as to help as we believe help should be given- do we hand them a sandwich and a bottle of water rather than money because we don't want our money to support their drug habit? Yet what if unbeknown to us the person suffers from a disease that causes the shaking? What if the sandwich and water won't buy the medicine they need? Do we judge based on our perceptions? Do we believe that if only we knew we would have reacted differently? Our compassion has to go beyond our perception. Our compassion has to result in seeing a need and meeting it even if that means taking the time to figure out a need rather than assuming one. What about the person we believe might be lying to us? We don't want to be duped, right? Giving money to a person who isn't poor at all, but rather makes a living seeking money from strangers. Does our compassion extend to those who lie to us? It has to doesn't it? We can't *play* God, that's God's job, not ours. The lies of others are on their own conscience, our ability to be compassionate to any in need is on ours.


1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.


Too many love in word-- letting their tongues run wild. Too many seem loving and very compassionate on the outside by the things they say. We need to love in deed- in action- and in truth. God knows how truthful we are…do we?


1Jn 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.


When we love in deed and in truth we know we are of truth and we can assure our hearts before God.


Our hearts will condemn us but praise to our loving God He is greater than our hearts and KNOWS ALL things. We can have confidence towards God- if our hearts don't condemn us.


Does your heart condemn you? Are you not loving in deed and truth? We can plead for forgiveness and begin anew seeking to love in deed and in truth. We can pray for a loving heart filled with compassion in all things, not just in things we choose. I know I'm not nearly as compassionate as I need to be especially to those closest to me. It's too easy to take advantage of those who are close to us expecting they'll forgive us, or feeling we are more put out by them. Sometimes it's easier to have compassion on strangers and we need to pray to our Lord and Savior to have compassion on all- as He would, as He has, as He does.


'let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.'


Remember…


Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men


By His amazing love, by His grace and mercy! Through His righteousness! All glory, praise, and honor to our Savior now and forever!!!



Amen.