Empowered For Rebuilding Lives

by Jon Walker

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: Judge fairly and honestly, and

show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans,

foreigners, and poor people. And do not make evil plans to harm each

other." Zechariah 7:9-10 (NLT)

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You have the power, by God's Spirit within you, to help people rebuild

their lives, to give hope to people in despair, to offer others a fresh

start when it seems they have nothing left.

God empowers us to:

* Judge with an even-hand - We show compassion when we act as a voice

for those who have no voice. Our compassion can help the powerless, the

ignored, the forgotten, the defeated, and the falsely accused.

* Show mercy - When we show mercy to those in the wrong, it doesn't mean

we're letting someone "off the hook"; rather, it means we recognize

he/she is a flawed human, just like us, in need of salvation.

* Be kind - In this often graceless age, we can show kindness, even to

those with whom we disagree. We can model civility and respect.

* Use your advantages to help - Instead of focusing on getting the

advantage, we can use what advantages and privileges we do have to help

others. We can willingly put ourselves at a disadvantage in order to

serve someone else, such as when Jesus, the leader and the Messiah,

washed the feet of his disciples.

* Protect others - Our compassion compels us to look out for the

interests of others, in particular, those in volatile or vulnerable

situations.

God says when we do this, our light will shine out from the darkness,

and the darkness around us will be as bright as day: "The Lord will

guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping

you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an

ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of

your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their

walls and cities." (Isaiah 58:11-12 NLT)

Here we see the cycle of compassion: God gives compassion to us; we give

compassion to others; then we receive compassion from God and others in

our time of need. "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;

those who help others are helped." (Proverbs 11:25 MSG)

This is the essence of a Christ-community - living together, serving

together, and loving together.

What does this mean?

* What would biblical compassion look like if you judged with an even

hand in your home? At work? In the community? What can you do to be a

voice for those who have no voice?

* What would biblical compassion look like if you showed mercy in your

home? At work? In the community? What are ways you can express

compassion and mercy to those who've failed, done things wrong, or

simply disappointed you?

* What would biblical compassion look like if you exhibited civility and

respect, even for those who show little civility or respect for you?

* What would biblical compassion look like if you used your advantages

and privileges to help those who are disadvantaged or those who have no

privileges?

* What would biblical compassion look like if you placed the interests

of others above your own interests?