These questions have been raised about compassion: Can compassion be cultivated? Should we actually practice (as in being intentional and purposeful) compassion?In almost all other areas of life, we would not ask these sorts of questions. In music, sports, learning, we would say “Of course you have to practice. That is how we develop the skills.” Why, then, do we ask the question as it relates to compassion and spiritual development?
I am fairly certain we ask it because, in spiritual matters,
we want to factor God into the equation. Maybe He is the only element in the equation. So, I guess the question is how do we factor into these types of things? How does spiritual formation occur? Getting more specific: What role, if any, does practice and well-directed, intentional effort play in spiritual formation? What evidence is their in the bible to support whatever position is taken? Excellent questions. Maybe we can shut off the saws at some point tomorrow night and tackle some of them.
3 comments:
how does practice fit in with grace? I think God teaches us through practice.
...that was my comment.
Linda
(first time!)
Jesus didn't necessarily "practice" compassion. He WAS compassionate. He told us to BE compassionate; he didn't say to "practice" compassion. If we are intentional about filling ourselves with His Spirit, then don't you think we'll just be compassionte people? I think the problem lies in the fact that we're too full of ourselves (and not of the Spirit) and so compassion isn't a natural part of who we are. On the other hand, I think if we're full of the Spirit, then we're naturally bent on being compassionate people, simply because we're imitating Christ.
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