Weekly Word Archives

One Another Series

Have Compassion for One Another

(CLICK YOUR BROWSERS "BACK" BUTTON WHEN FINISHED)

This is the result of a challenge issued by a very godly, older man who has been in the ministry for 40 years. He challenged us to do a study in the New Testament of the “one another” passages. I did that study and came up with quite a list of ways God calls us to relate to each other. The study made a real impact in my life and I hope that it will in yours as well. I would encourage you to look up the Scriptures in your Bible and see how God may want you to apply them to your circumstances in life.

The second quality that is found in Ephesians 4:32 is compassion. W.E. Vine defines this quality as "to be moved as to one’s inwards." It is something that happens deep inside of you. It is frequently recorded of Christ towards the multitudes and towards individual sufferers.

When He saw the crowds He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 7:36

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people". Matthew 15:32a

We see Jesus as our model of compassion as we relate to one another. For me, feeling kindness and compassion for others is not a problem, demonstrating those qualities so that others can receive them is a much harder task. I am a very analytical person. That part of me seems to come out first even though it is not always appropriate, so I work towards showing kindness and compassion in a way that is meaningful to those who need it.

As I’ve mentioned before, if we struggle with a particular quality of character in the Christian life – if we seem to run dry – the Biblical solution is to study that quality in the character of God in the life of Jesus. To the same proportion that we understand, believe, and receive those qualities from God can we give them out to others. He is our source. The Holy Spirit is our connection to Him. It is the Holy Spirit giving to us and living through us that makes kindness and compassion possible in our lives.