Compassion
Jesus was marked by His compassion. He was ready to accept the most sinful situations with 'agape' love. The most marginalized were accepted by Him with His giving heart. There were a few occasions when He set people straight, like religious leaders who mocked Him by the way they blindly led their followers.
I hope we are Christ-like in this way and not quick to judge and condemn. We too often attempt to hold our people to a standard of holiness and in the process exact a well-intentioned, incompassionate, unholy discipline.
In the old days, bandsmen were sent out of the bandroom if they had a small dash of color on their socks or tie. It seems that we could keep an extra pair of socks or tie in the bandroom if that's so important. We've discouraged many in this way over the years.
I am concerned about even more significant failures or errors of choice. Yes, the word is sin. Make no mistake...but remember how Jesus responds when we do.
Let's observe and follow the Master in this with love.
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Jn 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
I hope we are Christ-like in this way and not quick to judge and condemn. We too often attempt to hold our people to a standard of holiness and in the process exact a well-intentioned, incompassionate, unholy discipline.
In the old days, bandsmen were sent out of the bandroom if they had a small dash of color on their socks or tie. It seems that we could keep an extra pair of socks or tie in the bandroom if that's so important. We've discouraged many in this way over the years.
I am concerned about even more significant failures or errors of choice. Yes, the word is sin. Make no mistake...but remember how Jesus responds when we do.
Let's observe and follow the Master in this with love.
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Jn 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
posted by Jim Knaggs | 12:01 AM
4 Comments:
you're absolutely right. There's something about the whole "Plank in the eye" thing that we've sort of missed.
*sitting in the "Amen" corner*
Thank you for the warmth in that. I have had a cold, cold day here! Christ is present in the church but he is sometimes hard to discern.
Pax et bonum, peace and wellbeing, may it be in the church as well as us.
Help us, Lord, to do so.
Joe Kittle philosophy..."If they are in the building, in the band, they hear the word of God and have more oppurtunity to recieve God's grace." We are all sinners. The same mercy we show to others will be the same mercy shown to us. Thanks for the reminder.
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