Why does Jesus tell us to be compassionate? And why should we be compassionate?
Here are my ideas. They may be wrong. But, as Dallas Willard is fond of saying: If I knew where I was wrong, I would stop it.
It could be because he cares about people who are suffering, so in telling his disciples to be compassionate he is just carrying out his will through them. It could also be that he knew it was an entrance to the kingdom now. Being compassionate means going beyond yourself to get into the shoes of someone who is suffering. When you are denying yourself like this, it allows the Spirit to move in our hearts. That is where the “strong desire” to alleviate the suffering comes from. When we act on this, we are essentially obeying or following God. It is a whole new way of living – kingdom living – where God rules and what he wills gets done. It is also the place that we were created to live. It is where our life becomes complete and where our joy becomes complete. Compassion is not the only entrance to the kingdom now, but it is an entrance.
As his followers, we should follow his lead and obey what he taught us and showed us. We should learn to be compassionate, deny ourself, and lose our life. Why, because maybe it is where we will find our life, complete our life, and find complete joy.
Maybe this is just theory and theology. But maybe not. Let’s try it.
Here are my ideas. They may be wrong. But, as Dallas Willard is fond of saying: If I knew where I was wrong, I would stop it.
It could be because he cares about people who are suffering, so in telling his disciples to be compassionate he is just carrying out his will through them. It could also be that he knew it was an entrance to the kingdom now. Being compassionate means going beyond yourself to get into the shoes of someone who is suffering. When you are denying yourself like this, it allows the Spirit to move in our hearts. That is where the “strong desire” to alleviate the suffering comes from. When we act on this, we are essentially obeying or following God. It is a whole new way of living – kingdom living – where God rules and what he wills gets done. It is also the place that we were created to live. It is where our life becomes complete and where our joy becomes complete. Compassion is not the only entrance to the kingdom now, but it is an entrance.
As his followers, we should follow his lead and obey what he taught us and showed us. We should learn to be compassionate, deny ourself, and lose our life. Why, because maybe it is where we will find our life, complete our life, and find complete joy.
Maybe this is just theory and theology. But maybe not. Let’s try it.
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