“….For, I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47 (NIV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,…Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
When you notice a person dressed inappropriately or see a person who appears to be poor, not having this world’s material goods, what is your first reaction, honestly? Do you have compassion or judgment? I wrote an article last year that dealt mainly with judgment. Today I would like to focus on compassion.
When we look at those around us, do we place on them our own ideas about who they are, how they should walk, talk, and behave? Even Jesus in John 12:47 states His main reason for coming to this world was to save it and not to judge. If Jesus, the Creator God, did not look to judge others but to show compassion in order to save them, who are we, to not do the same?
It is not only in the world we sometimes do not show compassion but even in the church. We look at a person outwardly and feel we have the right to assess them based on what we see. Not knowing the individual or anything about their life story. We at times, look to condemn them, allowing judgment and not compassion to take over.
As we go about our lives from here on out, let compassion rule in our thoughts and in our hearts always when looking to assess others. We must keep in mind we only see the surface we do not know their whole story. Seek to get into the habit of praying and asking God to be with them in their life’s journey.
As the verse in Colossians 3:12 states, we are God’s chosen ones, we are His sons and daughters, holy and beloved. He wants us to have compassionate hearts, and to show kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, with all those we meet.
Blessings,
Angélique
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