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Think of some people who are charming or who obviously like you. It's easy to be nice to them, isn't it? But when you try to behave compassionately toward a hungry person halfway around the world, a friend who's chronically sick, or a family member who's made a few trips to jail, God has to be in it. There's just not enough goodness within us to do anything about it.

But if you want God at the center of all you think and do, first he requires you to look at life through his eyes. God loves all humans and wants them to know is love and come to him. Will you be a part of that? Second, maintain constant contact with God, or your compassion will fade and you'll become cynical. Third, get a taste of being the hands and feet of Christ by doing the work he did here on this earth. Through service to others, you partner with God in his purposes and attitudes. (See also Genesis 12:1-7; Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 13:1-5; Galatians 5:16-26; 2 Timothy 2:14-26; 2 John.)

Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40

Do you serve others with Christ's purposes and attitudes? If not, how might you begin?

Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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