Compassion: to recognize the suffering of others, then take action to help.
Many of us are well-acquainted with the inner turmoil that results from living in sin, whereas the unsaved may have accepted that turmoil as the norm. Remember your sense of emptiness when you would spend your time pursuing vanity instead of godliness, and in doing so, remember that is the same feeling every man and woman has who still pursues the former, only in their minds that’s as good as it gets.
With the abundance of worldliness around us, we might become quick to judge people we cross paths with or see online. However, we must remember that we too were once “appointed for Sheol” and that this state of being only remains for those who continually associate themselves with this “foolish confidence.” Any man or woman can decide to turn from that wickedness to Christ, and so be removed from their “appointed” spiritual deaths.
During one of his special services at Harvest, Ted Shuttlesworth pointed out how some of Jesus’ greatest miracles were driven by His compassion for the people. Jesus saw the state of their suffering and felt their anguish from the sin in their lives and on this Earth, then He reached out by the power of God to perform a massive amount of healings. We must not write off the unsaved due to their behavior or way of thinking. Instead, we must allow compassion to replace judgment in our hearts. As believers, we have first-hand experience with the contrast between living in the inner soul peace of God and the inner turmoil of sin.
We must allow compassion to replace judgment in our hearts…
For this reason the Bible also says, “Be not afraid when [an ungodly] one is made rich, when the wealth and glory of his house are increased; For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him” (Psalms 49:16-17 AMPC).
So we have compassion for the unsaved, whether rich or poor, because they have invested all their time and energy, their entire lives in fact, and yet they have nothing.
What people in your life have you found yourself lacking compassion for? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal people in your life afflicted by the inner turmoil of sin. Write one or a few names down and start praying the below prayer with them in mind.
“Jesus, this world is suffering without You. Give me the same kind of compassion that You have for the hurting and broken. Guide me into acts of compassion for the people in my life so they can see the immense love You have for them.”
Pursue your purpose in Him,
Anthony B.
