KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:
“compassion” – from splagchnon – to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity; to have (be moved with) compassion. [Strong’s]
Compassion is often most amplified, and therefore the most fruitful, when both parties have similar experiences. Such is the value of regularly gathering, as sheep under a pastor at NCC, or as members of the Body of Christ.
“sympathize” – from sumpatheo – means to feel “sympathy” with, i.e. (by implication) to commiserate; to have compassion, be touched with a feeling of.
The Militant Evangelist – blog 9/27/25
Time is short. What matters is the Gospel. You can always hash out the finer details pertaining to being a child of God after someone is saved.
Before you speak, check to see if you are walking by the Spirit (vs. your flesh), and then choose your words wisely, seeking reconciliation for all parties to God. With unbelievers, the goal is evangelism. With fellow believers, it’s realignment with God’s will.
Misalignment – blog 10/4/25
Hebrew 12 speaks to how I need to “[look] to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith” (v2) and how, as a believer, when I am out of line (not adhering to God’s will but my own), my heavenly Father must do whatever is necessary to wake me up and realign me to His will. In other words, I need to be disciplined.
It is like when your car is misaligned. It rides rough and, if you ignore the problem for too long, other areas of the car are affected and begin to fail. In the end you end up with bigger, more costly problems. It is the same way in the life of a believer. When you have spent too much time outside of God’s will for you (when the “ride gets rough”), God will administer discipline to get your attention back on Him and His will. This will be a painful process if you try to fight Him. Once you finally do surrender (when you willingly take yourself to the “shop” for realignment), He applies the salve of peace to your soul.
A changed heart is an inspired heart!