Love & Compassion

Love & Compassion

Focus word: Love & Compassion
Focus verse: Ephesians 4:2 says “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Declaration: I walk in the love of Christ today and compassion opens doors to breakthroughs in relationships.

God is the one who created marriage in the Garden of Eden. This is one of God’s designs filled with purpose and meaning. Today’s message falls on the special day celebrated world-wide called Valentine’s Day, 14th February.

Let’s look into the historical significance of Valentine’s Day which is much deeper than love confessions. It originated from Saint Valentine, a man of God, a 3rd century Roman priest who went against the rules set by Emperor Claudius II and helped couples to get married in secret. Saint Valentine honoured love, but Emperor Claudius found that it made men weak hence banning marriages from taking place. He was a priest who stood for love, commitment, and faith. And 14th February, was the day of his execution, we celebrate and honour him for his actions to honour christian marriages. Over time, what initially started as a day to honour Saint Valentine, people turned the day into a day of romance and love as we see today.

Love is the foundation of christian living.                                       It is the mark of true discipleship. Every breakthrough in relationships begins with a heart shaped by Christ’s love.

Ephesians 4:2 says Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

John 13:34-35 says 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

We need to understand that a house built without foundation will collapse. Just like that, love is the foundation that holds every relationship together.

Compassion moves us toward people, not away from them.
Compassion sees pain and responds with mercy. Jesus was often moved with compassion before He healed and restored people. The New Testament operating system is love. The operating system for the Old Testament was fear.

John 14:15 says  “If you love me, keep my commands.

Love does not ignore suffering, it steps into it.

Matthew 9:36 says “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Luke 10:33-34 says 33 “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Colossians 3:12 says Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

A bridge connects two sides that are separated. Compassion builds bridges where walls once stood.

Love requires patience and humility.
True love endures weakness and forgives faults. Humility keeps relationships alive. And patience allows healings to grow.

Ephesians 4:2 says “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Proverbs 19:11 says “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

1 Peter 4:8 says “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Covering love - this is the type of love Jesus showed us all by covering all our sins with His blood to make sure that our sins don’t come out instead to cleanse them away with His blood.

A gardener does not shout at a growing plant, instead he waters it patiently. Love grows people through patience not pressure! Love and compassion produce breakthroughs in relationships. When love rules the heart, God heals divisions and restores broken bones. Compassion opens doors that anger can never open.

Romans 12:10 says Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Matthew 5:9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Proverbs 16:7 says “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”

Some facts that we need to know:
A soft answer can unlock a door that force cannot open.
Breakthrough is not only about power and miracles, it is also about love and compassion. Walk in Christ’s love today and let His kindness bring healing and restoration to your relationships.