Let Us Be Compassionate

Let Us Be Compassionate

Galatians 6:1-10

David P. Nolte

One thing Jesus wants us to do is to love as He loves. The greatest command is to love God with all we have. The second is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

If we love as we ought to, we will look at other people with compassion, gentleness and empathy.

John Bradford looked on others with a humble compassion. One day he saw a poor criminal led to execution, and exclaimed, "There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford." He was later martyred for his faith.

Years later Billy Sunday, recovered alcoholic become evangelist, saw a drunk stumbling along, echoed Bradford when he said, "There, but for the grace of God, go I!"

They put themselves in the place of the other guy and in that way showed compassion.

We continue in our 29 days of love by encouraging each of us (me included) to consider the other person’s lot in life and ask, “How would I have done given that one’s situation, temptation, burden or difficulty? What if I were in his shoes? What if I was compelled to walk in her shoes? And what kind of help would I hope to get from others?”

The text for today’s sermon urges us to consider the other person, not critically or judgmentally, but from the perspective of wanting to improve their situation.

The text for today details some actions of compassionate love we should manifest when we see someone’s difficulty.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load. The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:1-10 (NASB).

What principles of Christian Compassion are evident?

I. COMPASSION CARES ENOUGH TO CONFRONT SIN:

A. “If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” We are being urged to care and love in a gentle, redemptive way. Compassion does that. Compassion cares enough to confront but:

1. First we must be spiritual . To be spiritual means to be Godly; to be guided by those attitudes and desires that are Godly.

2. We must also be gentle, not boorish and “in their face” aggressive. Gentle means mild or moderate.

3. And we must keep ourselves in mind, humbly remembering our own weaknesses and failures. Now we have all erred in one or more of those moral parameters.

a. If we have cheated on our spouse or if we have lusted we have committed adultery. That's sin.

b. If we have lied or been dishonest, or swindled someone we have sinned..

c. Becoming addicted to some substance is bondage. That’s sin.

d. Loving this world and it's material things is idolatry. That’s sin.

e. Neglecting to do the right thing is also sin.

B. So, you are wondering, "Where are you going with this?" I'm going here:

1. We have all sinned. "Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin'?" Proverbs 20:9 (NASB).

2. Since we are all guilty of some moral turpitude, it should motivate us to be less harsh with others who fail.

3. We need to follow Jesus' example when He disbanded the murderous mob and said to the woman caught in adultery, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more." John 8:3-11 (NASB).

a. The only one qualified to throw stones that day didn't do it – instead He threw a life-line.