DUO Inspirations
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Me
  • Faith
    • Faith Blog
    • The Purposeful Bible Study For Those Who Want to Lose Weight
  • Education
    • Education Blog
    • Tutoring and Education Coaching Services
    • Educational Resources >
      • Prek/Kindergarten Resources
      • Elementary Grades Resources
      • Math Resources
      • Language Arts Resources
      • Writing Resources
      • Art Resources
      • Organizational Resources

We are Called to Have Compassion for New Believers

7/4/2022

2 Comments

 
Picture
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
                                 John 14:15 (KJV)
 
 
 
 




Hi friends,

     How are you? This post is going to be a little bit different than usual.  I am going to use this post to show how we may have to have a little extra compassion for those who may have trouble with reading the Bible and believing in God. 

     Before I go too far, I want you to know that I am not making excuses for nonbelievers or for those who don’t believe that the Bible is the Word of God.  I am not trying to judge or condone anyone who may be in that situation.  However, I think that we as Christians, if we realize what a nonbeliever or baby believer may be thinking or feeling, we can have extra compassion to encourage a person.

     The way we act as Christians might make the difference in whether a nonbeliever or baby Christian might believe in the future.  Our compassion or lack of compassion might determine how the person we meet feels towards our Lord in the future.

     First, let me ask, what do you think of when you first read the words in John 14:15?  I have to say that I am a seasoned Christian and one of my first thoughts were of manipulators who have told me things like, “If you love me, you would wear the outfit I like” or “If you love me, you would wear your hair the way I like” or “If you love me, you would do this for me”.  Have you ever had people say things like that to you?

     Don’t get me wrong, I am a seasoned Christian and know that Jesus is not trying to manipulate us by the words he spoke in John 14:15.  However, for those who have had a more difficult life or aren’t a seasoned believer may not understand that Jesus’ words are not manipulative.  He or she may relate the words solely on what he or she knows.  And, if all he or she knows is manipulation and lack of love, then this may feel like more of the same to him or her. 

     So, why am I saying all this?  Usually, I ponder the meaning of a verse to me.  I don’t usually ponder what a verse is not.  Don’t worry, I will ponder the meaning for John 14:15 next week.  However, I feel called to write this post, because I think that the actions of Christians can sometimes have a strong influence on how nonbelievers or baby believers can react or believe. 

    Looking at Matthew 18:6 might help explain what I mean.  Matthew 18:6 (KJV) says, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”  I don’t think Jesus was necessarily talking about just children in Matthew 18:6.  I think he was talking about any new believer.  (For me, it also kind of means a nonbeliever that is kind of on the edge of believing as well.)  Jesus doesn’t want us seasoned Christians to do anything that would discourage belief in him.

     I believe this concept is one that is difficult for many of us to understand.  Sometimes, we may discourage belief in Jesus or discourage others from wanting to be Christians without even knowing it.  Sometimes, we act in a way that is ungodly and un-Christian without even thinking about it.

     Now, let’s tie this into John 14:15.  Imagine a nonbeliever or new believer who comes across John 14:15 and immediately thinks about all the manipulators in his or her life.  Maybe some of the hurt from the manipulation and selfishness of loved ones is triggered from this verse. 

     Imagine that because of the hurt, he or she might say something like, “This is bogus.  This isn’t God’s Word.  And, if it is, He doesn’t sound very loving to me.”  It might not be exactly like that, but he or she may have thoughts and feelings that we may not understand. The might seem understandable to them and they may be honest feelings to them.  But, we know that their thoughts and feelings don’t reflect the true nature of God. 

     Our first instinct might be to be protective and defend our Lord.  This may be all well and good, not that God needs our protection and defense, but often we may not do it with compassion or tact.  This lack of compassion or tact is what gives nonbelievers or baby Christians the wrong image of God. 

     We may be called to disagree with the wrong feelings that some get from verses like John 14:15, but we are called to do it with compassion and by following Jesus’ example.  We are to do it gently.  Instead of getting our dander up and starting an argument over the real meaning of the verse, we may say something more understanding and compassionate like, “I can understand why you might think that.  I have had people in my life try to manipulate me in that way as well.  It can be a hurtful thing.  However, with time, an open heart, and more experience, you will see that God is not a manipulator.  He is not like the people who have said, ‘If you love me, you will do this or that.’  Give it time.  Experience His love and revisit this verse later.”

     There are other instances where we can be “better off drowned with a millstone around our neck”, but when I read John 14:15 I felt called to bring up how we are to be good role models and encourage others in their belief in God.  It is important to stress that how we respond to nonbelievers and new believers may impact how they believe in the future.  Starting an argument and speaking harshly can lead to more wrong thinking or disbelief and compassion can lead to a better understanding and a stronger belief.

     What do you think?  Can you think of a time when you have been in this situation either as the nonbeliever/new believer or as the seasoned Christian?  What was your reaction? 

     Especially during disagreement, I think new believers or possible believers need to see God’s love through us.  We can disagree with them and even correct their misunderstanding, but we can do it gently and compassionately, so God’s love shines through us. 
 
Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for your Holy Word.  Thank you for sending your beloved Son, Jesus, not only to be our Lord and Savior, but to be our ultimate role model as well.  Help us to have compassion for others, especially for unbelievers on the edge of believing or new believers, so we don’t turn them off from your love and give them a wrong picture of what it means to be a Christian.  Give us the strength, knowledge and courage in doing what is right when someone has a wrong picture of you and reacts badly to your Word.  I ask this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

 
  *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    

Reflective questions for John 14:15 (KJV):
*What does John 14:15 mean to me?
*Have I ever had anyone say, “If you love me, you will…”? 
*Have I ever been manipulated before?
*If I come across someone who has a wrong picture by the words in John
 14:15, how would I react?
 
 
Note:
     Thank you for staying with me this week.  Next week, I will ponder what I think John 14:15 does mean instead of what I think the verse doesn’t mean.  So, stay tuned.
 
Now, it is your turn.
     I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.  I know that this has been a little different, but do you know what I am trying to say?  Have you been in this situation before?  How have you reacted?  Do you have thoughts for the rest of us on what we could do if we were in this type of situation?

     Thank you for being here.  I appreciate the kindness and support.  I pray you are finding value in the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations.  If you are finding value, please share the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations with friends and family.  You may also want to use it as part of a family or church family discussion.  Help spread God’s Word and encourage others in their faith. 

     If you haven’t already, please consider signing up below to get the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations and other faith content in your inbox.  Thank you.

 
   

2 Comments
    2 Timothy 1:7 image by DUO Inspirations

    Hi friends!

    This is Jodi.  I am so glad you are here!  I am a Christian and life-long learner.  I enjoy sharing and encouraging others.  I pray you are blessed by this blog.  Thank you for being here.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021

    Categories

    All
    1 John 4:18
    1 John 4:8
    1 Peter 4:8
    1 Thessalonians 5:11
    2 Chronicles 7:14
    2 Corinthians 1:3-4
    2 Corinthians 13:5
    2 Corinthians 6:14
    2 Peter 3:9
    Acceptable Thoughts
    Armor Of God
    Battered Women
    Beatitudes
    Be Careful For Nothing
    Believers
    Believers And Unbelievers
    Be Thankful
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Blessed
    Blessed Be God
    Bribes Against The Innocent
    Call Upon God's Name
    Celebrate
    Charity
    Charity Is Love
    Children Of God
    Christian
    Christianity
    Christian Lifestyle
    Christian Role Models
    Christians
    Christmas
    Christmas Tree
    Colossians 3:17
    Colossians 4:6
    Comfort
    Commandment
    Compassion
    Courage
    Covid-19
    Creativity
    Daily
    Depressed
    Depression
    Desperation
    Deuteronomy 8:18
    Devotion
    Diligent
    Discernment
    Do Everything For God
    Don't Be Wasteful
    Don't Give Up
    Drink His Blood
    DUO Inspirations
    Eat His Flesh
    Education
    Encouragement
    Encouraging Others
    Ephesians 4:23-24
    Ephesians 5:20
    Ephesians 6:11
    Faith
    Faith Blog
    Fear
    Fear Of The Lord
    Fellowship
    Flood
    Focus
    Focus On God
    Forgiveness
    Friend
    Friends
    Friendship
    Frlendliness
    Galatians 6:7
    Galatians 6:9
    Genesis 6
    Genesis 7
    Genesis 8
    Genesis 9
    Give
    Give God Thanks
    Give Thanks To God
    Giving
    God Is Love
    Godly Love
    God's Glory
    God's Kingdom
    God's Timing
    God's Word
    Good Judgment
    Good Works
    Guidance
    Heavenly Father
    Heavenly Peace
    Heavenly Vs Worldly
    Hebrews 10:24
    Hope
    How Not To Treat Others
    How To Treat Others
    In God's Presence
    In Jesus' Name
    Inspiration
    In The Name Of Jesus
    James 1:2-4
    James 1:26
    James 1:27
    John 14:15
    John 15:5
    John 6:12
    John 6:54
    John 7:24
    Joy
    Judging Others
    King David
    Knowing God
    Knowledge
    Lazy
    Leftovers
    Life And Death
    Lot's Wife
    Love
    Love God
    Love Of God
    Love One Another
    Love Your Enemies
    Loving Jesus
    Luke 17:32
    Luke 3:11
    Luke 6:38
    Luke 7:37-38
    Mark 12:30
    Matthew 16:22
    Matthew 22:37
    Matthew 5:10
    Matthew 5:13
    Matthew 5:3
    Matthew 5:4
    Matthew 5:44
    Matthew 5:5
    Matthew 5:6
    Matthew 6:10
    Matthew 6:11
    Matthew 6:12
    Matthew 6:13
    Matthew 6:9
    Meek
    Merciful
    Mercy
    Mischief
    Mistakes
    Needs
    New Believers
    Noah
    Noah's Ark
    One Day At A Time
    Opportunity
    Ordinary People
    Pandemic
    Parenting
    Patience
    Pay It Forward
    Peace
    Peacemakers
    Persecuted Christians
    Persecution
    Perseverance
    Peter Rebukes Jesus
    Philippians 4:6
    Plan
    Power Of Words
    Praise
    Praise God
    Prayer
    Prejudice
    Preparedness
    Proverbs 13:13
    Proverbs 13:4
    Proverbs 16:24
    Proverbs 17:22
    Proverbs 18:15
    Proverbs 18:24
    Proverbs 22:13
    Proverbs 22:6
    Proverbs 24:16
    Proverbs 24:27
    Proverbs 6:6-8
    Prudence
    Psalms
    Psalms 100
    Psalms 105:1
    Psalms 119:127
    Psalms 119:66
    Psalms 13
    Psalms 13:1
    Psalms 13:2
    Psalms 13:3
    Psalms 15
    Psalms 15:1
    Psalms 15:2
    Psalms 15:3
    Psalms 15:4
    Psalms 15:5
    Psalms 16:11
    Psalms 31:24
    Reap What You Sow
    Reliance On God
    Religion
    Renewal
    Repent
    Repentance
    Righteous
    Righteousness
    Salt Of The Earth
    Search For Truth
    Self Examination
    Self-examination
    Self-righteous
    Sermon On The Mount
    Servant Of God
    Serving The Lord
    Share With The Poor
    Sharing
    Shepherd
    Sinners
    Slothful
    Small And Fragile
    Solve Our Own Problems
    Sorrow
    Speak With Grace
    Strength
    Talk
    Temptation
    Testify
    Thankful
    Thankfulness
    Thank God
    Thanksgiving
    The Lord's Prayer
    Those Who Mourn
    Thoughts
    Train Up A Child
    True Friends
    Truth
    Uneqaully Yoked
    Usury
    Vanity
    Violence
    Wants
    Wasteful
    Wealth
    We Need Jesus
    Wisdom
    Work Ethic

    RSS Feed

P.O. Box 104
New Haven, VT 05472
Home
Contact me
Thank you for the opportunity to inspire and be inspired!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Me
  • Faith
    • Faith Blog
    • The Purposeful Bible Study For Those Who Want to Lose Weight
  • Education
    • Education Blog
    • Tutoring and Education Coaching Services
    • Educational Resources >
      • Prek/Kindergarten Resources
      • Elementary Grades Resources
      • Math Resources
      • Language Arts Resources
      • Writing Resources
      • Art Resources
      • Organizational Resources