Compassion is a character trait that the people around Jesus saw often. One of the great things that draws people to God is knowing that Jesus is always compassionate.
Here is the passage that I shared with our folks at The Community on Sunday:
PSALMS 78:35-39 (NASB) --- And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. But they deceived Him with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He (GOD), being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.
Notice that the people remembered God, but for some reason they did their own thing. The words they used, their actions and even their hearts weren't focused on the God that they remembered.
BUT GOD. He was still compassionate. The people came back to God and found forgiveness and love. God held back pain because the people turned back to Him.
The same will happen today. In fact the reason why people stay away from our churches is because they see Christians as judgmental and as hypocrites. Many have been to churches or been around Christians who have hurt them. Yet we have to share the compassion Jesus shared. He saw people where they were.
Matthew 9:36 (NLT) --- When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
When we see people in need, what are our thoughts? What is our response? Do people find us gracious, accepting and compassionate? Our churches will grow and people will meet Jesus if they find us compassionate.
Here is what is true about our God:
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB) --- The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
What we have found; we can to help others. We can help them find the acceptance we all need and the compassion that might change their lives forever. Who can we share with today?
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