Pastor A

Psalm 91:4  “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust…”

V. The Tokens of Compassion

“And by this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” I John 3:19-21

A token or fruit of our compassion is assurance. Assurance is the peace that comes when one’s works have satisfied the Savior. It is good to know when one gives of himself and of his gifts, that he can possess a peace from insecurities and doubts. Many times these troubles will arise in life, but through compassion to others, God will drive them far away. When one shows his compassion, the heart no longer looks at self, but at others and in turn to Christ. This leaves a person with a “confidence (freedom of speech) toward God.” The writer of Hebrews says, “let us come boldly (confidently) to the throne of grace…”

“And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is the commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit whom he hath given us.” I John 3:22-24

Another benefit of compassion is to see prayers answered. When someone is obedient to God, his life is in harmony with God. He desires the same thing for his life, as God desires for his life. So, the things he asks for will be according to God’s will. In verse 22, John gives the guarantee of answered prayer. It boils down to keeping God’s commandments and doing things pleasing in His sight. All, of which, transpires when one shows love toward another, preceded by believing on His name.

Are our prayers being answered as is evidenced by our love for the brethren?

IV.  The Test of Compassion 

“By this perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” I John 3:16 

The first test of compassion focuses on the laying down of one’s life for his brother in Christ. When a person lays down his life, he is giving them himself. He will sacrifice his talents, time, desires, and even existence, if need be, to help a person in need. Since Jesus was willing to do this for every believer, it seems reasonable that this service be done with love to all those, who name the name of Christ. 

“But whosoever hath this world’s goods, and seeth his brother have a need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:17-18

The second test of compassion is the giving up of material possessions for those in need. A sign of a compassionate person is not the tears, the talk, or the sentiment; but the giving away of possessions that one holds so tightly. A scrooge is not characteristic of the Christian. Every church has a few of them, but it shows they have missed the mark concerning compassion. God expects all Christians to conserve and invest their money and possessions wisely. 

But, He also expects the Christian’s liberality to shine forth since these material possessions are of the earth and are never carried to heaven after death. Therefore, the one who gives of himself and his possessions is showing he has passed the test of compassion. 

Do I pass the compassion test?

III.  The Testimony of Compassion 

So what is the proof of a person’s compassion? What shows that a person has experienced a changed life or “have passed from death unto life?” 

A.   Eternal Life 

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” I John 3:14 

The testimony of eternal life lies in that statement, “we love the brethren.” A person, who has an abiding love for other believers, is testifying that he has received the gift of eternal life. This love is not just an emotional love. It involves the will, the intellect, as well as, the emotion. This means that a person will be able to love one, even when they are unlovely. 

If it is just an emotional love, it will come and go. So, it must be cultivated in every area of our life. Someone has said, “We love our brother in Christ, not because he is lovable in himself, but because we know that he is our brother and because God has commanded that we love him.” 

B.   Eternal Death 

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” I John 3:15

A person testifies of this compassion by the fact that he does not hate his brother. A person who hateth his brother shows he still remains in death. He is also classified as a murderer; even though he may never commit the act itself. One, who continually hates a person, is guilty of murder. 

No murderer, of course, has a place in the family of God; so, he testifies by his hate that he loves darkness rather than light. This does not mean a person cannot be saved who is guilty of murder. It simply says that a person, who has made this a way of life, is signifying to the world and other Christians that he does not possess eternal life.  

Are our relationships current? In our hearts do we “hate” another person?

II.  The Trial of Compassion

I John 3:12-13 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”

One must come to grips with the fact that when love is given it is not always received. Like Cain of old, who became jealous of his brother’s offering; so, many shall envy the love of Christians and desire to do away with them. The world will never love the Christian, who loves as Christ loved.

For, the Christian becomes a light to the world which reveals the worldly person’s deeds and them to be of an evil nature. The world is a child of the devil and their father was a “murderer from the beginning.” Jesus stated in John 15:18-19, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Thus, John concludes in verse 13, “Marvel not (do not be surprised, do not worry), my brethren, if the world hate (desires to do away with) you.”