FORGETTING TAKES AWAY COMPASSION.

FORGETTING TAKES AWAY COMPASSION. 
Scripture: Matthew 25:35-36, 9:36.
Topic: Forgetting takes away Compassion. 

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

Matthew 25:35-36

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were

scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

Matthew 9:36

To take care of people who are in physical difficulty often goes along with the ability to remember. Sadly, most people do not remember where they came from.  One day, I met a millionaire who had established a large prisons ministry. He told me how he had been thrown into prison for several years and then had been released miraculously. After being released, this man could not forget his experience in the prison. The Lord used him to establish a nationwide prison ministry, which touched the lives of thousands of prisoners. 

God expects you not to forget what you have seen, heard and experienced. People who do remember rarely show compassion for anything they have been through. Why do you black out from your mind the memories of physical hunger, thirst and nakedness? Jesus will judge us for not remembering these

people. I am certain that forgetfulness leads to a lack of passion for the Great Commission. The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates this reality. Levites and priests passed by filled with the knowledge of God. But they did not have compassion. When the man with compassion came by, he was moved and saved the brother who was half-dead. This world is half-dead, waiting for us to come and save them. We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the only hope of this world! 

"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.  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?"

Luke 10:33-36

The modern inventions of television, radio, cassettes, CDs and the internet have made Scripture more available than ever before. Sadly, the increase of Scripture and the availability of this knowledge has not resulted in more of God's compassion. The compassion for souls is almost absent whilst the love for treasures and finances is at its peak! Forgive! The sad reality is that the evangelization of this world will not

be accomplished without compassion. But how can we have compassion when we do not remember what it is like to almost go to Hell?

Paul Remembered.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Romans 10:1

The Apostle Paul was moved with compassion because he remembered people who were just like him. He remembered his own relatives who lived in darkness. He remembered how he was almost not saved himself. At a point, he wished he could kill himself so that they would be saved.

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh."

Romans 9:1-3

Credits: Excerpt From

Remembrance

Dag Heward-Mills.