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.
b. Don't throw stones. Throw lifelines.
4. As Rob Chaffart wrote in a devotion I received via e-mail, “One year I had a student that had significant behavioral problems. She took notebooks from other students and destroyed them. She found herself in the Principal's office as a result, and the principal sent her back to the classroom to rewrite all of the work she had destroyed. Some of the students, however, whose work had been destroyed, began to rewrite their own papers so she wouldn't have to. They didn't condemn her, instead they reached out to help her.
I ask you: which one showed love? Was it not the ones who humbly not only forgave, but also reached out to help the girl who had destroyed all of their work? When we truly follow Jesus, when we allow His grace to infiltrate every part of our being, when we truly appreciate the profound nature of His gift of grace to us, we will find that we WANT to show love!”
5. We must walk in that person’s shoes and ask ourselves if, honestly, we would have done any better given the same circumstances and temptations.
C. Understand that
1. I'm not suggesting that we do not call sin what it is.
2. I'm saying, "Be aware of your own sins and then be sure you are pure in heart. Then you won't want to throw stones, or condemn them, you will want to rescue and restore those who fall."
D. If you take it upon yourself, be sure of your ground and marshal your facts and check your own life for sin, and pray without ceasing.
1. Don’t be Quick Draw McGraw ready to shoot when you see the white of their eyes.
2. When it is conclusive that the brother or sister is caught in sin it may be necessary to gently and discreetly, put your arm around his or her shoulder (man to man, woman to woman). No sermon; no harsh accusation. You might say, “You know I care about you. I care enough to risk your anger. But it has come to my attention (or I have seen) that you are _______ and as your friend and brother / sister I appeal to you to do an about face and forsake it.”
3. But only do this if you are
a. Willing to be as gracious to the errant one as you want God to be to you.
b. Ready to really “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NASB).
E. In one church a man was caught in an undeniable sin. The preacher asked his elders who would go with him to speak to the man. Every elder but one raised his hand, saying they “would love to set the guy straight!” The preacher said, “Ted, is there a reason you don’t want to go with me?” Ted hesitated, and said, “Well, Pastor, I have struggles of my own and I don’t think I’m anyone to set anyone straight.” Pastor said, “Ted, you are elected; that is the kind of humility we need to win ths guy back.”
Those who gave compassion care enough to share the word of life with the fallen and further:
II. COMPASSION GIVES TO OTHERS:
A. The Bible text said, “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.”
1. Instead of being driven by our own bodily appetites and selfish cravings, we let the Holy Spirit move us to generosity.
2. And when we see a brother or sister struggling with a load that is too heavy for them, we feel Compassion and Compassion enough to help them bear that burden. And this generosity is not just for those who benefit us but for all in genuine need.
a. We might give comfort and support in their grief. Like the child who went next door to visit Mrs. Smith, whose husband had just died. In awhile she went home and said, “Mommy, I helped Mrs. Smith today.” “Oh? That is so nice but how did you help her?” “We sat on the couch and I held her hand and cried with her.”
b. We might give them encouragement when their hearts are heavy with guilt and shame by demonstrating that we love them and if we can, so can God.
c. We might give them monetary help with their financial burden, out of our own resources, which were not given to us just for us, but also to generously help the needy out.
B. I know, I know, there are so many appeals to our Compassion as heart rending pictures of selected children and abused animals are shown on TV. I know we can’t give to every asker – but I’ll bet that every one of you knows someone who just needs a little help bearing the financial burden.
C. Compassion gives generously.
1. Compassion eschews the attitude, “What’s mine is mine and I’m keeping it!”
2. Compassion exemplifies the attitude, “What’s mine is really God’s and I’m sharing it!”
3. Compassion extends a hand up, not just a handout.
D. Compassion is generous. Unlike the two little boys I heard about.
1. One boy and his little brother were riding together on a fairly large rocking horse. The older boy said, “It’s too crowded with us both on here. If one of us would just get. off there’d be more room for me!”
2. A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake; I can wait." Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Okay; Ryan, you be Jesus!"
E. Those with compassion go beyond mere feelings to deliberate, unselfish action. And we need to know that
III. COMPASSION SERVES UNTIRINGLY:
A. “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.”
B. There is a phenomenon called “Compassion fatigue.” Listen to this quote, "We’re exposed daily to so much human tragedy we’ve experienced what some have called compassion fatigue. Having felt sorry for so many flood victims, earthquake victims and war victims we simply cannot muster the sympathy we know we ought to have for fresh casualties.”
C. What if ...
1. God got tired of giving good things to you? Now don’t say, “I think He has since I have so little.” Little? Look at the poverty in the world.
2. God got tired of listening to your prayers?
3. God got tired of forgiving your sins?
4. God got tired of you?
D. But, God?
1. Tired of giving? It is still true :“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17 (NASB).
2. Tired of hearing your prayers? It is still true: “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB).
3. Tired of forgiving? It is still true “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5 (NASB).
4. Tired of you? It is still true: "Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:14-15 (NASB). A loving mother won’t tire of caring for her child and God won’t tire of you.
E. Let me tell you about a compassionate woman who cared and shared and did it untiringly. Her name is Neroli Endacott. While many others her age had kicked back, relaxed, shooed the kids out the door, and considered retirement, Neroli (who lives on the Gold Coast in Australia), filled her days being mum to some of that states most "at risk" children. She has cared for no less than 100 foster children.
One of the Kids in Neroli’s care said, "Ma gives us kids magical memories, keeps us safe, calms our fears and loves us all unconditionally. I feel pretty special living with her because I’m happy again." Neroli demonstrated compassion that cared deeply, gave generously and served untiringly.
At age 75, Neroli continues to provide support to many families raising children with suspected FASD sharing her many years of knowledge and experience.
She still often offers her time as respite to assist families with their own children in need. Neroli has cared for children from babies to young adults and realizes the need for an early intervention.
This week, the second in our 29 days of love, will you find one family or one person to whom you will show some action of compassion? Maybe a personal visit, maybe discretely paying a bill or part of one, or maybe sending a comforting, “Thinking Of You “ card to a weary and burdened individual.
Jesus has always been the epitome of compassion to each of us. He tells us to love one another just as He loves us. To prove His love, He came and walked in our shoes. But how am I doing? How are you doing? Are you willing to walk in another person’s shoes with compassion that shares gladly and generously and faithfully? Perhaps we should pray:
“Sometimes my heart is empty, Lord;
I’ve little love to give.
But in your mighty grace, o Lord,
My lack of love forgive.
I’m willing, Lord, to love like You
But can’t just on my own.
Create in me a Godly love
as I kneel at your throne.
Just change my heart and give me one
That makes me more like You;
Compassion then will flow from me
And good works I will do.
David P. Nolte, 2020
How is it with you? Are you willing to demonstrate compassion to someone this week? That’s the assignment. Is it in your heart? Then let it be in someone’s life.
How is your heart today? Do you need a new one? Ask Him to change yours for one like His as we stand to sing.
