CLOTHED WITH COMPASSION
Kendra Intihar
Today’s Scripture: “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
Theme: Believers should be clothed in and known for compassion and kindness for others.
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES
In Hebrews 13:3 (NIV), the writer exhorts the early Christians to “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” The original audience of this letter was being asked to put themselves in the shoes of those who were suffering.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV) reminds us that “as God’s holy people, chosen and dearly loved,” we are called to “clothe [ourselves] with compassion.” Because we are His holy ones, this should be our “attire” or demeanor. We should be known for this!
OUR EXAMPLE
Jesus modeled this for us when He became “fully human in every way” (Hebrews 2:17, NIV). He encountered the full range of the human experience: loss, joy, grief, temptation, hunger. Jesus understands it all, and more importantly, He understands us. He can identify with us because He has been where we are. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…” (Hebrews 4:15a, NIV).
HIS KINDNESS IS EVERLASTING
There has never been a sinner among us who wasn’t welcomed when he came to Christ. There is nothing we can do to earn His compassion, and, thank God, there is nothing we can do that would prevent Him from extending it to us. “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You” (Psalm 63:3, NKJV). Other translations use “steadfast love” to clarify “lovingkindness.”
Make It Personal: 1 John 4:19 (ESV) says, “We love because He first loved us.” Because Jesus loved us, we are compelled to love others. Reflect on Jesus’ empathy and compassion for you as you strive to empathize with others.
Pray: Dear God, I ask You to give me a heart of compassion for Your children. I ask that You remind me of Your great love and patience for me, and that kindness is the outflow of my gratitude to You. Amen.
Read: Romans 5:6-8; Psalm 72:12-13; Colossians 3:12-14
Weekly Memory Verse: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:13-14, ESV