Condemnation vs Love + Compassion (Testimony)

John 3:16-17 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

There are so many in the world today that are confused, hurting, angry and broken. The results aren't pretty. Life has left them shattered with no power to heal from the trauma they've experienced. Were it not for Jesus, I would be just as they are. Abuse as a child and witnessing the abuse of someone I loved, left me so filled with anger... It's interesting how abuse can breed more abuse and anger feeds anger. It's an evil chain reaction that destroys all those in its path. Even as a child I desired to hurt others before they could hurt me. The results? I was in fights, smoked pot and drank to escape my own pain. The path I was on was leading to hard core drugs and promiscuity... but Jesus!! At a young age, I had already experienced so much. I know I'm not alone, we all have our stories of rejection, offense, and betrayal.

In case you wonder why I so desire to lead each of you into a deeply intimate relationship with Jesus and knowledge of His Word... It's because I was helpless and hopeless without Him! In the midst of my despair, He reached into the gutter and tenderly pulled me out and wrapped His strong arms of healing and love around me. I gave my heart and life to Him when I was 11 and immediately began telling everyone I could about Jesus!!! He wiped my tears, annihilated my sin and anger and filled me with love for Him and people.

We need to stop judging the world according to the flesh. That trans cashier is just a hurting child who has yet to find his identity. That mean and angry neighbor, he isn't your enemy, he just doesn't know what to do with all of the pain he's experienced and it spews out in unkind words and actions that seemingly give him moments of peace... well, the only peace he knows.

Begin to see people through the eyes of love. Yes, they are different than us. They haven't experienced the saving grace of Jesus. They don't know what true love feels like. They have no understanding of the redemptive sacrifice that was made for their lives and souls and they have yet to find their identity and answers in Christ alone!

I'm not asking you to love the sin but just as Jesus did, have compassion for the sinner and allow the Holy Spirit to compel you to pray for them and lovingly minister light in their darkness, then lead them to freedom!

Acts 26:15-18 (NKJV) So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJV) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Matthew 9:37 (KJV) Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.