Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Be Compassionate to One Another

Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-9

Key Verse: “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” v.8

The church has sometimes been likened to a game of snooker where the balls bump into each other for a while and then go back to their individual pockets for another week before repeating the process!  May our church be different!  The foundation of a thriving church is close relationships and Peter explains what that looks like. He uses the word harmony which we have already considered but he also uses the words sympathy and compassion. In so doing he identifies with another of the qualities of Jesus love for us – expressed love.

When we observe that someone else is in difficulty we can adopt various attitudes. We could be indifferent to another’s suffering. We remain unmoved by their pain. Alternatively we can feel sympathy – we pity them and feel sorrow for them. We may feel a love and concern for them but that does not alleviate their distress because our feelings are internal. Finally we can be compassionate where we do not just feel their pain but are moved to do something about it. Our love is expressed in words and practical ways to help. The NT often speaks of Jesus having compassion especially of the sick and hungry (Matt.14:14, 15:32).

Prayer: Lord I commit to not being a snooker ball but to be like Jesus and express love outwardly to others from a heart of compassion