Activeword.org - Devotional

Activeword.org - Devotional: "Devotional for November 13, 2006

A Compassionate Community

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers . . .--Ephesians 1:15-16 (NKJV)

Christians are wealthy people. I'm not speaking in mere monetary terms but in a more significant and spiritual sense. We know why we've been placed here on earth and what we're supposed to do with our lives. We have a sense of identity and acceptance. We enjoy God's grace, forgiveness, and peace. And in addition to all this, we're part of a special community, a compassionate community.

Believers are also bound by a special bond--the love of God, which has been poured out upon our hearts. It fills our lives, overflows, and extends toward other believers, resulting in a network of men and women, brothers and sisters, who love each other in the truest and purest sense. We have one another's welfare at heart and pool our resources in order to meet the needs of our family members in the faith.

I've seen this compassionate community countless times. A single mom needs a new set of tires, and a brother in Christ who sells tires takes care of it. An elderly couple needs help moving, and a group of godly guys pitch in and make the move happen. A college student needs help with his thesis, and another saint who's academically gifted comes alongside to point him in the right direction.

The scenarios are endless, but the principle is always the same. As Christians we're compelled to meet each other's needs because God's love supernaturally motivates us to care for one another. We're interconnected as a compassionate community, which makes us wealthier than those of this world.

DIG - How are Christians to relate and interact with one another?

DISCOVER - When was the last time you have personally benefited from this compassionate community?

DISPLAY - Be proactive. Put forth the effort to meet another believer's needs this week.

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