Struggle with Compassion

“This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3

I have struggled lately with compassion. I decide to give it to some, even most, but not all. I think it is safe to say that most Christians tend to have compassion for their fellow Christian but struggle in giving compassion to the ‘sinner’. I seem to have switched this normality. More often than not I give compassion to the non-Christian. I also give compassion to the Christian that will admit they do wrong, be open about their mistakes, and genuinely try to improve. But for those Christians who do not grow and ignore their sin… I have trouble giving them compassion. I get angry because I feel they affect the way I am perceived by non-Christians and screw up the chances I may have in helping someone to know Christ and the amazing love he gives. In talking with one person about this problem I got the response that I am judging my fellow Christian and it’s not my job to do so. I disagree with this idea. The Lord clearly says that you will be able to tell a Christian by their fruit. I will hold people to their good or bad fruit. Period. And I don’t believe that to be judging. I just need to learn to share those views with compassion and love for that person. In talking with a second partly about my outlook I got the response that I am picking and choosing who to give compassion to and that is not fair. The Lord does not do that and neither should I. The Lord has compassion for everyone. Even those who have wronged him and will not get to spend eternity with him… he still loves them and has compassion for them. The fact that I disagree with hypocrite’s actions is not the problem. I need to remember that I am no better. Also, realize that having love and compassion does NOT mean I can’t tell them what the scriptures have to say about their actions. Jesus was quite blunt and up front with the Pharisees. Anyway, that’s some of the latest thoughts. ☺

Boxing with Satan

This first year of college has been the hardest thing I have yet to encounter in my young life. Making friends was something I thought I could handle, but apparently its harder than I expected. I think a large part of it is Satan wanting me to believe I'm alone, because I've made friends but I often feel like I don't have close friends that understand me. Once Satan gets his foot in the door by making me believe I'm alone he starts to work on my self-esteem. He does his very best to convince me that I am of no worth at all and that I will be alone for the rest of my life. But it's all a lie! He wants to keep me from serving and worshiping the Lord. I am determined to not let the devil have his way. I'm up for the fight. Round one may not have been what I thought it was going to be. And round two I'm struggling to breath. I may be knocked down and so bruised. But I'm here to tell you...I MAY BE KNOCKED DOWN BUT NOT FOR THE COUNT. I'll come out swinging. I'm telling you now, I'm not going to lose this. He's messing me up, but I'm still here. I am not defeated, though you cannot see it, I have never won a battle on my own. The GOD ALMIGHTY is on my side!