Show Compassion

James 2:¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “…stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? ¹⁷…faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead…”

Sometimes people get too distracted with the inconveniences around them to remember to show compassion.

We encounter people in situations or circumstances where we should be compassionate but instead, we are focused on the inconvenience to ourselves. Compassion means to put oneself in another’s situation and treat the person the way you would want to be treated if it were you. Showing compassion will cost you time and it will cost you resources but it will be a witness for Jesus.

Imagine going out of your way to show compassion to someone everyone has written off or judged. Such people will never forget that experience and they will be more willing to follow you to church or hear about Jesus. We can reach people for Christ by showing compassion, by caring about the inconveniences, the struggles, and the trials other people are going through. Your compassion should move you to do something.

Some Christians find it difficult to be compassionate towards other Christians who do not see things the way they do. Some people find it difficult to be compassionate towards people who keep getting themselves into trouble. While for some Christians, they find it difficult to be compassionate towards non-Christians who are close to the gospel. Yet for some people, they struggle with showing compassion to their spouse, or towards a boss, or towards a particular person. For some, they have completely shut their doors of compassion to people in authority but are abusing the position entrusted to them.

It can be challenging to be compassionate to people we feel are acting irresponsibly. But the truth remains that God alone is the judge and He has not put condemnation in our hands. 1 Tim.2:¹ “I urge you… to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior” Pray for them, show them compassion and trust God to do something about it. Our lack of compassion, I dare say, may be doing us less good.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for everyone in authority in Nigeria, thank You for their lives and families. Father, I ask that You will help them lead as unto You, in Jesus Name. Amen!