Cups Of Cold Water

It is so easy to sit in judgement of others.  We judge actions, looks, motives, thoughts and words.
Where do we get off thinking that we are better than someone else?  There is only One who is
the Judge, Almighty God.  When we step in and pronounce judgement on someone, we are
stepping into God's rightful place, we don't belong or fit there.

Psalms 50:6  "And the heavens shall declare His righteousness:  for God is judge
Himself.  Selah."

We are admonished in Matthew 7:1;

"To judge not, that ye be not judged."

This does not mean that we turn a blind eye to sin, we are still suppose to show discernment
when it comes to sin and taking a stand against evil.  But we are to be like Christ, He hates sin
but loves the sinner.  It is God's place to judge the sin, we are to just love the sinner.  We find
all through the Gospels the phrase, "But He had compassion..."  Jesus showed compassion on
all that He had dealings with.  He is a God of compassion.  Do we have compassion for others?
This should be at the core of our character, compassion on our fellowman.  This doesn't mean
that we condone his actions or way of life. 

The dictionary meaning of compassion is "Sympathy with the distress or suffering of another;
pity;  full of sympathy:  showing pity, merciful."  We must be compassionate without being
judgemental.  True compassion leaves judgement at home.

In Luke chapter 10 we read the story of the good Samaritan.  This is a wonderful story of
true compassion shown to another whom was considered an enemy.

Luke 10:30 - 35  "And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem
to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment and wounded
him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain
priest that way:  and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  And likewise a
Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other
side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:  and when he saw
him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring
in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care
of him.  and on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them
to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him:  and whatsoever thou spendest more
when I come again, I will repay thee."

This is a beautiful story that highlights compassion in action.  We have this poor man that
was attacked and left for dead.  Then we see two people that come by, the priest and the
Levite.  Both these men were men of authority, religious men.  But we see that they just
passed him by and left him to die.  Then along comes the Samaritan man.  The Samaritans
and the Jews were enemies;  so one would think that the logical thing for this Samaritan
to do would be to pass him by as well.  But he didn't.

This Samaritan not only tended to his wounds, but took him to a place where he could
recover and paid for his keep!  What a wonderful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ is seen
here.  The Bible states that we were enemies of Christ, yet He not only came to help and
heal, but He gave His life for payment of our sins.  The Samaritan provided on-going care
for the man;  Christ left His Holy Spirit to be our help in this world. 

This is also a picture of the compassion that we should give to others.  The Samaritan was
not looking for recompense for his service of care, he did it out of compassion.  We are
to help those around us.  Our testimony to the unsaved world is not to be in word only, but
also in deed.  Love and compassion shown towards those who are hurting and needy in this
world is an example that the Lord Jesus left us.  He witnessed to the crowds, but He also
showed His love through His actions of healing and providing for them.  We might not
always be in the position to help others financially, but we can always show love and care
for others.  A kind word, a meal, a hug, these all mean something to the hurting that are
around us.  The unsaved are more likely to listen to us if they've already seen love in action
through us.

Matthew 5:44 & 45a  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;  that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

In Matthew chapter 18 we read about a servant who was forgiven a great debt by the King
because the King had compassion on him.  But this same servant went out and demanded
a debt be repaid him by a fellow servant.  When this fellow servant couldn't repay his debt
he was thrown into prison.  In verse 33 we see the Kings reaction to his servants actions.

"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had
pity on thee?"

Here again is another picture of God showing compassion on us.  We in turn have no
right to turn and judge another for what God has forgiven us for.  We are to show love
and compassion.  It's hard sometimes isn't it?  We want to see people pay for the wrongs
they have done...but we are commanded to leave the judging to God and to show
compassion.  This is something that doesn't come naturally to us, we must pray and ask
the Lord's help, and I've learned that when He asks something of us, He also provides
the means to accomplish it, if we have a willing and submissive spirit to His will.

Matthew 22:37 - 39  "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great
commandment.  And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself."

Your neighbor isn't just the person that you live beside, it means all you come in contact
with.  How do you love yourself?  We take great care of ourselves don't we.  We make
sure that we have what we need to keep fed and healthy.  The care we take over ourselves
should be the same care that we take for others.  I believe many of us lack in this area, but
it is what God asks of us. 

Let's work on showing compassion to others.  It will deepen our relationship with the
Lord to be obedient in this area;  it will deepen our relationships with others and provide
an avenue of real testimony and service.

Healing the widows and orphans in their need,

Healing the sick ones and binding hearts that bleed;

Feeding the hungry, this we must surely do,

By this we serve Him and demonstrate His love.

 

Sharing the Gospel with sinners gone astray,

Holding the light up so they can find a way;

Lifting the fallen this we must surely do,

If to our calling as Christians we are true.

 

Cups of cold water, given in Jesus name,

Cups of cold water are never given in vain;

Someday in Heaven when we meet the Lord,

Each deed of kindness will bring a rich reward.

 

                                                         John W. Peterson