1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
The next verse reads, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Compassion is not a state of mind. It should not only be something we “have”, but something we do, as well. I think most people tend to want to do something “big” and important, but forget it is the small kindnesses which are within their reach every day. I know this is often the case for me. I can do better.
Father God, help me to remember to show compassion in any way and at every opportunity. I will look for ways to be kind and compassionate today. Amen
Becky, transforming
1 John 3:17 Although I understand that being comfortable financially obligates us to help others, I know many people who have little, but have found ways to show compassion. In reading my upper room devotional daily, I often see stories of the elderly and infirm still trying to do all they can for others. Phone calls, notes, prayers, and cards are something they can still do. In their youth and good health, they did much more and they haven’t let age or circumstance stop the spreading of God‘s love.
Prayer: gracious God help me, always to find a way to Spread God’s love to others. Amen
1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person.
Treating people with love and compassion is emphasized in this verse. I may not always be able to help all I see as I walk or drive through cities and towns as people beg on the street, but I can pray for them that help will come to them.
Dearest Lord, the compassion and helplessness I feel when I see so many people needing help in one way or another. I will continue to pray for them and when able to help them in some way. In Jesus…
1 John 3:17 Words are interesting. I wonder if the word, “pity” is used in other translations. Compassion seems to me a much better choice. It conveys empathy and genuine caring for the person in need. The way it it is used today, pity has an air of superiority and condescension which misses the theological mark. I guess my point is that I interpret this passage as sharing with those in need as an act of Christian love and not one of merely assuaging one’s conscience or “proving” how good one is.
Prayer - Generous God, lead me to be as generous in every aspect of my life as You have been generous to me. And let me quietly show this…
Thursday Jul 14th, 2022
1 John 3:17
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?
This verse certainly speaks to us about compassion. A lot of people are willing to profess Jesus Christ and to say that they believe in His truth, but are we willing to really act upon it. It is easy to profess that I love God, and others but do I demonstrate that love through deed and sincerity. John tells us how God has already demonstrated His love for our salvation through the blood of Christ. if God was willing to make such a great demonstration …