Have Compassion (Part 1)

Beloved, I’m inspired to write unto you from a new theme entitled simply, “Have Compassion”. We are commanded by the Word to “restore such an one” who has been overtaken in a sin (Galatians 6:1). In the past, some may have lost sight of this admonition, and may have felt that their duty was to chastise rather than to correct. In so doing, they may have destroyed instead of restoring the character of their brothers and sisters. It is possible that some, especially in the church, may have reached a state where they, even as Job, felt themselves to be more righteous than God. Remember, the scripture says of Job that “he was righteous (not in God’s eyes but) in his own eyes” (Job 32:1).

Beloved, Jesus taught us that we should not be self-righteous, but should have mercy (compassion) on one another. Remember, He quoted from the Book of Hosea (see Hosea 6:6) when He said to the Pharisees, “go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13). Again, when the over-zealous disciples, John and James, were angry at the Samaritans for disrespecting Jesus and wanted to consume them with fire, Jesus rebuked them and said, “the Son of Man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:54-56).

Precious Ones, I have heard (and I’m sure you have also heard) men say in their teaching, “You’re going to hell”. I have seen preachers and teachers determine men’s fates from the pulpit. However, God has never called any man to send other men to hell, but rather to save them from hell. Preachers and other saints should never put the words “Go to hell” into the atmosphere concerning any man. This is wrong! We, as ambassadors of Christ, should feel obligated to save rather than standing by, pronouncing judgment, as others destroy themselves. As Timothy was instructed by Paul, “a servant of the Lord must not strive (should not be quarrelsome); but (must) be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose (destroy) themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive of him (Satan) at his will” (II Timothy 2:24-26).

Chosen Ones, what this is saying is that the ones who fail may unconsciously “oppose themselves” and therefore need help to recover. That is where “compassion” needs to be exerted. When a saint goes wrong, he already knows that he is a candidate for hell - he doesn’t need to be reminded! What he needs is someone who can help him not to end up in hell!

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much
In His Love


Pastor William L. McCoy