MESSAGE 4: ALBA-
Motivation of Christ out of LOVE. Part 2
To recap, we mentioned about:
1. Obedience out of LOVE.
2. Responsibility out of LOVE.
3. Justice out of LOVE.
Today, we will focus on the next 3 out of the 9 motivations of Christ out of LOVE.
4. Compassion out of LOVE.
Mark 6:34: “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So, He began to teach them many things.”
Matthew 14:14: “And when Jesus went out, He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”
We can also read of Jesus emphasizing this in the story of “The Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:25-37.
Compassion is defined as “That (human) disposition that fuels acts of kindness and mercy. It is a form of love, aroused within us when we are confronted with those who suffer or are vulnerable. Compassion often produces action to alleviate the suffering.” It embodies a tangible expression of love for those who are suffering.
We are glad to be able to be a blessing to the poor and needy in Indo-China and the Philippines through our charity missions since May/June, 2012. It is heart-warming to see God’s divine providence in meeting the needs of the people. Hearts were touched, friendships forged and souls added into the Kingdom of God. True compassion will compel to you do something for the needy. Have you been moved with compassion lately?
Last Sunday, we were presented with a call to meet the needs of the Orang Asli in Kampung Sg. Lebak, Bentong, Pahang who were infected with Covid-19. There were 95 families in dire need. Initially, our response was rather discouraging due to the inability to do our usual fund-raising method especially through the MLS students during this pandemic. Nevertheless, we tried our best with our limited resources and contacts. Praise God that by Tuesday, God divinely provided through some funds to purchase and sponsorship from Alpro Pharmacy. In total, God provided 99 Caltrate 600+D, 37 tooth brush and paste set, 29 packs 5s probiotics, 150 Cough syrup, 10 boxes of adult masks, 100 packs of Anti-Fungal Sprays, 8 x 500ml hand sanitizers, 4 small + 1 big 1st. aid kit, 150 pack of Vit C + Effervescent. It was safely delivered last Thursday. It was indeed a refreshing fulfilment after missing out on charity missions in 2020 and thus far this year. To God be the glory!
(If you felt the Lord’s leading, kindly give with a cheerful heart to our Church & Missions Funds)
5. Peace out of LOVE.
John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Peace comes in three-pronged: peace with God, with others and yourself. Once we have developed this inner peace, we will be able to face much of life’s challenges.
Focusing on avoidance, sometimes we need to do this in order to guard our peace. As we live in the Spirit, may He lead us in our decision makings towards peace. Consider the following:
Is it worth being with a narcissist who would eventually abuse and suck the life out of you?
Is it worth winning the argument but losing a friendship?
Is it better to move on rather than stay put in a negative relationship/situation?
Is it better to avoid or collide head-on?
Is it better to hold our tongue in order to hold our peace?
Is it better to leave in peace than in pieces?
Romans 16:17: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
2 Timothy 2:23: “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”
Peace seeks to reconcile but it also involves avoidance.
Develop your personal inner peace by drawing nearer to God each day.
He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
6. Mercy out of LOVE.
Jesus spoke lengthily on this topic. For example, in John 8:1-12, Jesus chose mercy over condemnation, reminded us “to forgive as our Heavenly Father forgives us” (Matthew 6:14), how many times we should forgive (Matthew 18: 21-22) and culminating in Luke 23 before He died on the Cross, He cried “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” and extended forgiveness to one of the criminals who were hanged beside Him. To the very end of His life on earth, He exemplifies mercy.
Related to point No. 5, one of the by-products of mercy is peace. It is truly not worth harbouring bitterness and unforgiveness that will eventually bankrupt us of peace. Choose to forgive others who have wronged you and allow God to vindicate you in due time. The pain may be there for a season but it will eventually fade if we do not feed on the negative feelings or thoughts.
Mercy is not the absence of justice and common sense. A wife may have shown mercy or forgiveness to her abusive husband but to remain with the unrepentant abuser and allow him to continue abusing is not mercy at all. Instead, she will be at his mercy which may lead to adverse results. Justice, common sense and peace (avoidance) must play their roles as preventive measures.
In matters where it involves national persecution of the Christian faith where justice, common sense and peace (avoidance) cannot be fully implemented then one has to forgive and find comfort in scriptures like in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 where it says “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Do take time to pray for our persecuted brethren around the world especially in Afghanistan.
As a result of love, you choose to be compassionate by being a blessing and reaching out to the needy.
As a result of love, you choose the path of peace by becoming a peace-maker and avoiding peace-breakers.
As a result of love, you choose to be merciful by forgiving those who have wronged you and embracing God’s sovereign will and vindication.
These are achievable not because of our own magnanimity but as result of our abiding in the Holy Spirit Who empowers us to bear the fruit of the Spirit.