Wednesday, February 13, 2019

“Compassion Without Compromise"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…



"Compassion Without Compromise"



     How do we show compassion without being compromising?  And how do we act uncompromisingly, but still show compassion?

    "Of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 1:22-23).

   Obedient response to this path of wisdom requires the leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit.  We can know the Biblical calling to love in both gentleness and firmness.  However, the application thereof requires specific guidance in specific circumstances and situations.  Moreover, our response to the Lord's leadership is not perfect in this lifetime.  We must therefore keep the subject close in heart and mind as we seek to represent the Lord Jesus Christ to people who, like ourselves, require both the Lord's fearfulness and faithfulness in order to begin or continue proper relationship to Him.

  "Perfecting holiness in the fear of God… The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (II Corinthians 7:1; James 5:11).

   Recognizing our own need for the Lord's gentleness and firmness prepares us to love others in a manner that meets their similar necessity of both comfort and correction.  This makes ministry far more than method, and practice far more than merely parroting principles.  We must walk with God in close and prayerful fellowship if we are to serve as His voice of rightly applied grace and truth to others.  We cannot begin to perfectly know what people need to hear from us.  The One we represent does know, however.  Thus, we seek to understand His Biblical truth as well as possible, and in such Light go forth with much request for His guidance and enabling.  Thereby we show the compassion of Christ without compromising the communication of necessary Truth.

"The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves."
(II Timothy 2:24-25)
"The Lord shall judge His people.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
(Hebrews 10:30-31)

Weekly Memory Verse
   Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
(Hebrews 7:25)
    
  


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