WEEK TWO: COMPASSION OVER CONVICTION

You may have heard it said: “It is possible to love people and not love God, but it is impossible to love God and not love people.” But sometimes it seems like it would be so much simpler to love and follow God if we didn’t have to deal with other people. They bring their hurts, their hang-ups, and their opinions with them, and we must learn how to deal with all of that while trying to live our life for Jesus in our own topsy-turvy world. Put on top of all that the controversies within our nation that have divided us and things can really get complicated.

All these controversies are complicated. What is right and what is wrong? It’s even more complicated for us as Jesus-followers because some things that we have held as beliefs are now being challenged as old and out-of-date. So what do we do when our moral standards are challenged by society? How do we show love and compassion when so much of what is happening goes against what we have been taught and long held up as a Christian standard? How do we balance our convictions and compassion?

First and foremost, we need to press into our love for Jesus. We must love him first before we can truly love others, especially those who see things differently than we do. Once we are firm and secure in our love for Jesus, then we can live out that love to others, despite their beliefs and or disagreements. Jesus didn’t scold the lepers for violating the laws about approaching healthy people. He didn’t criticize the woman caught in adultery or the Samaritan woman for having five husbands. He didn’t chastise Zaccheus for being a tax-collector and robbing people of their money. But he also didn’t condone their sins.  He faithfully demonstrated God’s love by accepting them as people God loves and sharing the hope found in him.

Our challenge is what to do with the truth of God’s standards and how we live out the good news of God’s love. We need to realize that we all have the same problem: sin. None of us is exempt. Once we come to terms with that, then we can take that same mercy and grace that God showed us and pass it on to those who may disagree with us. It is a matter of asking ourselves, “do my actions and my reactions in life reflect my love for Jesus and his love for the world?” Then apply that approach to every aspect of life.

God loves you! God doesn’t only love the future version of you; he loves the current, struggling person. He offers you forgiveness through Jesus. Instead of using the truth or convictions to slap people in the face, lovingly tell the truth with compassion and sincerity while offering a hand of help and support.