CLOTHED IN COMPASSION
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Sanctification is the lifelong process of becoming more and more like Jesus. It’s the goal of every believer. We study the life of Jesus and pattern ours after His. What did Jesus say and do? What should we do if we’re living as His representative here and now? We want to live like Jesus, who we know lived with compassion. So, the call is for us to be people of compassion.
Compassion may come more easily for some than others. I, for instance, am not the quickest to exhibit compassion. But after all these years of following Jesus, I’ve witnessed too much of His goodness toward me to not, in turn, show that to others. So, how does that show up in my life? It’s many of the things Paul lists in the above passage. Mercy—not hammering people when they perhaps deserve it. Kindness in the little things. Humility to believe that I’m not better than anyone. Gentleness instead of harshness is particularly difficult for those of us who too often will give ourselves a pass by claiming that we’re just telling it like it is—patience, which gets tried every day in every way imaginable.
I have to remember to make allowance for other’s faults because that’s what Christ did for me. A pastor many years ago told me that I wanted everyone to judge me by my intentions, which were for the best, while I judged everyone else unforgivingly by their actions, no matter their intent. He told me I needed to afford others the same grace God has shown me. I didn’t like what he was saying at the time, but he was right. If Jesus could ask God to forgive those crucifying Him, surely I can forgive those who might offend me.
More than anything else, I need to love others. Love is more than just a mushy, gushy feeling. True love sacrifices for the sake of others. It requires action, putting our money where our mouth is. Instead of just talking about it, perhaps we need to be about it.
APPLICATION:
Who can you show compassion to today? Is there someone that God is immediately bringing to the front of your mind? If not, that’s okay! Keep praying that He would show you someone in particular to love well for Him. In the meantime, endeavor to show compassion to everyone you meet, from coworkers to family to strangers.
PRAYER:
God, thank You for the incredible compassion You’ve shown me. Please help me to do likewise as I interact with those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?