In the last post, we were talking about compassion being a major motivation for planting a church. But there are some things we need to watch out for that kill compassion. Such as:
- Legalism kills compassion. When we hold so tightly to our own interpretation of what someone must do to be saved from sin, we put up roadblocks that should’t be there. Who were experts at this? The Pharisees. They didn’t have compassion on the people, they were only interested in maintaining their system of religion, and Jesus came to turn that on it’s head.
- Self-righteousness kills compassion. We look at the story of the feeding of the 5,000+ in Matthew 14:13-21. Jesus sees the needs of the people and tells the disciples. What is their reaction? We’re not doing it! It’s their own fault they didn’t bring food, let them go to the town and get something from Taco Bell! What does Jesus say? “But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16 ESV)
- Selfishness kills compassion. Look quickly at another biblical example and the famous story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37. The Priest and the Levite refuse to help the man in need. Cold, merciless compassion. They cannot be bothered to go out of their way to help. The Samaritan showed incredible selflessness in helping the man.
What is the ultimate example of compassion? The gospel itself! God loved so much that he sent us Jesus!
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV)
The bottom line: Just as God’s compassion motivated his mission, so should compassion motivate ours.
