Have Compassion (conclusion)

Beloved, I want to conclude this theme entitled “Have Compassion” by reminding you that the man who was robbed, stripped and left for dead on the Jericho Road (Luke 10:30-36), found no relief from the priest (man of God) or from the Levite (saint), though they were both well aware of his condition and desperate need of aid. The necessary help came from one who simply “had compassion” on him. The compassionate Samaritan (in type, a sinner), being sympathetic to the man’s plight, “went to him, and bound up his wounds”. As he brought the injured man to an inn, his own garments must have had to serve as torn bandages - dirty, and even bloody. Yet, as we discover from the scriptures, the Samaritan went beyond these acts of kindness - he even paid for the man’s further assistance. Jesus concludes this lesson by saying, “Go, and do thou likewise”. It’s amazing that sinners sometimes have more compassion than the people of the Church.

Precious Ones, we are not called to open afresh the wounds of others, but rather, to bind up those wounds! True “compassion” heals someone who is wounded - it doesn’t aid in his destruction. Yet, this does not mean that we (as strong in the Lord’s service) should fall from our own steadfastness. Jude explains this to us when he writes, “of some have compassion, making a difference: others save with fear, pulling them (the weak saints) out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 22-23). It’s easy to “have compassion” when we understand that we are commanded not to hate the individual, but rather to hate the “garment” of unrighteousness that he or she wears.

Chosen Ones, in closing, the fifth church period, called the church of “Sardis” (Revelation 3:4), seems to have been the time when the church reached it’s lowest ebb. Yet, it was said of them, “(You have) a few names EVEN IN SARDIS which have not defiled their garments (of righteousness)”. James said that “pure religion and undefiled” requires that one should serve others, and also that one should also “keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). In other words, when your compassion restores someone else, God’s “compassion” will restore you!

I will write on a new theme next week. I hope that this one has blessed you.

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy