Jude 1:22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Compassion makes a difference because it is more than just an emotion, it is also an action. Compassion means “to have mercy, to show kindness by beneficence or assistance.”
1.) Pray for a Compassionate Vision.
True compassion starts by seeing what Jesus sees. When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion. (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 20:34) In like fashion, the prodigal son’s father saw his son and had compassion (Luke 15:20); the good Samaritan saw the man and was moved (Luke 10:33); and the lender saw the servant and had compassion (Mat. 18:27). The Apostle Paul, upon his arrival in Athens, didn’t see what we probably would have seen in this ancient city: amazing architecture, delicious foods, and beautiful ocean views. Instead “… his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” (Acts 17:16)
Missionary Robert Moffet saw Africa through Christ’s eyes. When speaking in England of his burden for Africa he said, “The smoke of a thousand villages I have seen that have not the gospel.” A young man in attendance could also see those villages. David Livingston asked Mr. Moffet, “Would I do for Africa?” Dr. David Livingston, the great missionary/explorer, went on to pave the way for evangelism on the Dark Continent.
We must pray: “Lord help me see the world through your eyes!”
2.) Pray for A Compassionate Burden.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:29) True Christian living is trading our burden for Christ’s burden. Men and women whom God uses are those with their goals and ambitions in line with Christ’s.
Paul’s burden was so strong he wished “himself accursed” that Israel might be saved (Rom. 9:3). John Knox shook Scotland for God because of his great burden: “give me Scotland or I die!” he prayed. George Whitefield the great evangelist cried, “Give me souls or take my soul!” David Brainerd missionary to the American Indians said, “I care not where I go or how I live or what I endure so that I may save souls; when I awake, they are first in my thoughts. No amount of scholastic attainment available and profound exposition, of brilliant and stirring eloquence can atone for the absence of a deep, impassioned, sympathetic love of souls.”
We must pray: “Lord help me carry your burden and not my own!”
3.) Pray For A Compassionate Plan.
If we have the right vision and take on the right burden through prayer, counsel, and Biblical meditation, the burden becomes a plan. Missionary William Carey, the Father of Modern Missions, described it like this: “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.”
The beloved hymn writer, Fanny Crosby carried her compassionate vision and burden for souls to the New York City Bowery Mission. One evening while speaking to her rescue mission boys, she had the distinct feeling that there was one there who had wondered from their mother and would be eternally lost if he wasn’t rescued that night. At the end of the service, one young man came forward and said, “Did you mean me, Miss Crosby? I promised my mother to meet her in Heaven, but as I am now living that will be impossible.” She prayed with him and led him to Christ. As they finished, he said, “Now I am ready to meet my mother in Heaven, for I have found God.”
From this experience Fanny Crosby penned the words to the song “Rescue the Perishing.” Listen to the compasionate vision, burden, and plan in this song.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen
Tell them of Jesus, the Mighty to save
Rescue the perishing, Duty demands it,
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide
Back to the narrow way patiently win them
Tell the poor wanderer a Saviour has died
God had a plan for Fanny Crosby in writing hymns and ministering at Rescue Missions and various places. Likewise our Saviour has a plan for us. Let’s get involved in His plan!
Let’s pray: “Lord help me follow your compassionate plan”