‘Christian’, Do you

have Compassion

for Yourself?

Matthew 9:36 “And having seen the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were wearied and cast away, as sheep not having a shepherd.” - Berean Literal Bible Do you, ‘Christian’, have the compassion Christ has? Do you really feel for those who are in this day and age reflected in this verse? Or, are you constantly condemning this ‘crowd’ treating them with a condescending attitude as being less than and inferior? See, to have compassion for others, one first has to have compassion for the self. Condescension and condemnation are sure signs of inner turmoil and insecurity. So what then DOES this compassion for the self entail? Compassion for the self comes to its highest expression when one sees one’s own weaknesses and ‘missing-the- marks’ with tenderness and forgiveness. When one sees one’s own historical acts of inappropriateness and misconduct as being out of God’s Hand… not out of our own. To believe in God’s Sovereignty and His control over all is SO liberating. The moment this penny of liberation drops, one realises with deep gratitude the loving control the God of the Bible has. Then one realises that every action of ours is done at the perfect time He intended it to be before the foundation of the earth. Then one realises that HE is behind it all and that He has a purpose for everything He created in the first place, be it good, or evil alike. Isaiah 45:7 “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” - King James Bible And what’s more… all of it is for the GOOD! Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.” - New International Version When one realises the above, then there is no more beating up oneself. Then penitence suffices, knowing that Jesus has already paid the price for those very trespasses that make one’s life so miserable… trespasses projected on others with malice and frustration. Then one wants to try one’s best even more out of gratitude… and not out of fear. Then one realises there isn’t any everlasting condemnation at all. Compassion for the self is only possible when one finds the True Christ of the Bible, when one is baptised in the True Christ (the Christ who saved ALL already)… having died with Him and having been resurrected in Him into eternal life. This Baptism is the ONLY Baptism with power. This Baptism reflects true Christianity… a Christianity within which the world will see the True Christ and be drawn to Him. Alas, had Christians known the True Christ from the beginning, then there would never have been comments like “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ” from Mahatma Gandhi. The image ‘Christians’ portray to the [unbelieving] world is not a pretty picture… and sadly to fellow ‘Christians’ alike. Behaviour of entitlement reflects a loftiness never to have been reflected by Christ. To bathe oneself with happiness in the loving control of God’s hand, is to find life as it is supposed to be experienced… a life of liberation, joy and hope amidst any adversity. May God open your eyes.

‘Christian’, Do you have Compassion for Yourself?