Jesus explains Passion and CompassionRead Luke 10:25-37
Passion is defined as a strong feeling or emotion. People consider me a passionate guy. When I find something that I enjoy, my DNA urges a passion in me for whatever that thing is. Whether it is playing basketball and wanting to win, talking to someone about Jesus, or making love to my bride, I typically like do it with a lot of passion. Very rarely will you find me acting all relaxed when I am doing things that I enjoy.
In this passage a lawyer who is clearly passionate about himself and how well he follows Gods law, sets out to test Jesus. In doing so, like usual, Jesus slams him in the most awesome way. In a nit shell Jesus explains to this lawyer that although he has passion for the law, he lacks what is most important and what the law was meant to bear - Compassion.
Compassion is different that Passion and often people get these two mixed up. Unlike passion, compassion is a profound human emotion prompted by the pain of others.
In our faith it is hard to believe that on could be passionate about Jesus but lack passion for others, however, this is one thing that I struggle with the most. although passionate about Christ, I tend to lack compassion. If I was honest with myself, I relate more to the lawyer who is trying to test Jesus than I do the Good Samaritan. I tend to want to just preach to people rather than engage and love on people.
This is something that I need to change. I need to begin to pray about this very hard. God need to stir my heart towards those who need him. If I am going to claim to be a full follower of Christ, I need to become just as compassionate about others needs as I am passionate about knowing Christ. Passion for Christ without compassion for others in the end is really fake passion and pride.
Lord, give me your heart. help me to feel for others the way that you feel for them. Break my heart as yours breaks for others.
1 John 3:16-20
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
2 comments:
I like your definition of compassion. Did you come up with that?
I appreciate your honesty, here. Thanks. :)
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