The Ministry of Sympathy
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
No ministry in this world is more beautiful or more helpful, than that of those who have become familiar with life's hard paths, and have learned life's secrets in the school of experience — and then go about inspiring, strengthening, and guiding younger souls who follow them.
Nothing in Christ is more precious than this knowledge of life's ways, gained by His own actual experience in walking this earth. He has not forgotten what life was like back then. He remembers how He felt when He was hungry, or weary, or in struggle with the tempter, or forsaken by His friends. And it is because He went through all these experiences, that now in Heaven, He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and can give us sympathy, help, and guidance. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
No ministry in this world is more beautiful or more helpful, than that of those who have become familiar with life's hard paths, and have learned life's secrets in the school of experience — and then go about inspiring, strengthening, and guiding younger souls who follow them.
Nothing in Christ is more precious than this knowledge of life's ways, gained by His own actual experience in walking this earth. He has not forgotten what life was like back then. He remembers how He felt when He was hungry, or weary, or in struggle with the tempter, or forsaken by His friends. And it is because He went through all these experiences, that now in Heaven, He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and can give us sympathy, help, and guidance. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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Contentment, Not Satisfaction
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11
"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness!" Psalm 17:15
We must distinguish between contentment and satisfaction. We are to strive to be content in every state; but we are never to be satisfied in this world, whether our circumstances are prosperous or adverse. Satisfaction can come only when we awake in Christ's likeness in the next world of eternal blessedness. We are not to seekcontentment by restraining or crushing the continual cravings and longings of our souls. Yet we are meant as Christians to live amid all circumstances in quiet calmness and unbroken peace, in sweet restfulness of soul, wholly independent of the strifes and storms about us, and undisturbed by them. Content in whatever state, yet never satisfied — that is the ideal life for every Christian.
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11
"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness!" Psalm 17:15
We must distinguish between contentment and satisfaction. We are to strive to be content in every state; but we are never to be satisfied in this world, whether our circumstances are prosperous or adverse. Satisfaction can come only when we awake in Christ's likeness in the next world of eternal blessedness. We are not to seekcontentment by restraining or crushing the continual cravings and longings of our souls. Yet we are meant as Christians to live amid all circumstances in quiet calmness and unbroken peace, in sweet restfulness of soul, wholly independent of the strifes and storms about us, and undisturbed by them. Content in whatever state, yet never satisfied — that is the ideal life for every Christian.
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Divine and human forgiveness
"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." Luke 11:4
In the model prayer which Jesus gave to His disciples — He linked together divine and human forgiveness. While we pray to God to forgive our countless and enormous sins — we are taught to extend the same forgiveness we ask for ourselves, to others who harm us in little ways. Let us hold no bitterness in our hearts even for a moment. Let us put away all grudges and all ill feelings. Let us remember the good things others do to us — and forget the evil things. Then we can pray sincerely, "Forgive us our sins — as we forgive others." If we cannot do this, I do not know how we can pray at all for forgiveness.
"Forgive — and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37
"But if you do not forgive men their sins — your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15
"In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you — unless you forgive your brother from your heart!" Matthew 18:34-35
"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." Luke 11:4
In the model prayer which Jesus gave to His disciples — He linked together divine and human forgiveness. While we pray to God to forgive our countless and enormous sins — we are taught to extend the same forgiveness we ask for ourselves, to others who harm us in little ways. Let us hold no bitterness in our hearts even for a moment. Let us put away all grudges and all ill feelings. Let us remember the good things others do to us — and forget the evil things. Then we can pray sincerely, "Forgive us our sins — as we forgive others." If we cannot do this, I do not know how we can pray at all for forgiveness.
"Forgive — and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37
"But if you do not forgive men their sins — your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15
"In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you — unless you forgive your brother from your heart!" Matthew 18:34-35
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Little white lies
"Do not lie. Do not deceive one another." Leviticus 19:11
"Better to be poor than a liar." Proverbs 19:22
There are other forms of untruthfulness, besides the direct lie. There are those in our society who would not speak an untrue word — who still twist their statements so as to make them false in the impression they leave with others; or they would not speak a lie — but they will live one. Their lives are full of small deceits, concealment, pretense, insincerity, dishonesty. Be true in your inmost soul — true in every word, act, look, tone, and feeling. Never deceive anyone. There are nolittle white lies in God's sight; it is a terrible fiction to think there are.
"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices" Colossians 3:9
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur!" Revelation 21:8
"Do not lie. Do not deceive one another." Leviticus 19:11
"Better to be poor than a liar." Proverbs 19:22
There are other forms of untruthfulness, besides the direct lie. There are those in our society who would not speak an untrue word — who still twist their statements so as to make them false in the impression they leave with others; or they would not speak a lie — but they will live one. Their lives are full of small deceits, concealment, pretense, insincerity, dishonesty. Be true in your inmost soul — true in every word, act, look, tone, and feeling. Never deceive anyone. There are nolittle white lies in God's sight; it is a terrible fiction to think there are.
"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices" Colossians 3:9
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur!" Revelation 21:8
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Two hearts split apart
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger" Ephesians 4:26
Conflicts between friends should not be permitted to continue overnight. Scriptures say we should not let the sun go down on our anger. Why? Because there may not be another day to heal the wound, and fix the broken relationship.
"But it was not my fault," you say. Noble souls, inspired by the love of Christ, must not look for blame, nor argue who should first seek restoration. If it was not your fault — then you are the better person to begin the reconciliation. It is Christlike for the one who is not to blame, to take the first step toward the healing of the breach. That is the way He did, and always does it, with us.
Do not delay any longer. Is the sun close to setting? Before the evening shadows, be reconciled with your friend. Let not the stars look down on two hearts split apart by anger or misunderstanding.
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger" Ephesians 4:26
Conflicts between friends should not be permitted to continue overnight. Scriptures say we should not let the sun go down on our anger. Why? Because there may not be another day to heal the wound, and fix the broken relationship.
"But it was not my fault," you say. Noble souls, inspired by the love of Christ, must not look for blame, nor argue who should first seek restoration. If it was not your fault — then you are the better person to begin the reconciliation. It is Christlike for the one who is not to blame, to take the first step toward the healing of the breach. That is the way He did, and always does it, with us.
Do not delay any longer. Is the sun close to setting? Before the evening shadows, be reconciled with your friend. Let not the stars look down on two hearts split apart by anger or misunderstanding.
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Your labor is not in vain in the Lord
We must not measure life by any earthly standard. There are lives which the world crowns as successful — but that God rates as failures. And there are other lives which some may pity — but, in God's sight, are noble successes. Earnest Christians bless others truly for Christ — but there may seem to be little result. Yet we do not know what good may come out of a true work that has at first appeared to fail.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58. Results may not come immediately, but they will somewhere, sometime.
Outside the mill, a waterwheel turns, and seems to accomplish nothing. But inside, machinery makes flour to feed the hungry. Our lives may seem, with all their activities, to produce no result — but who knows what blessings they shall become, what impressions they leave on other lives for eternity?
We must not measure life by any earthly standard. There are lives which the world crowns as successful — but that God rates as failures. And there are other lives which some may pity — but, in God's sight, are noble successes. Earnest Christians bless others truly for Christ — but there may seem to be little result. Yet we do not know what good may come out of a true work that has at first appeared to fail.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58. Results may not come immediately, but they will somewhere, sometime.
Outside the mill, a waterwheel turns, and seems to accomplish nothing. But inside, machinery makes flour to feed the hungry. Our lives may seem, with all their activities, to produce no result — but who knows what blessings they shall become, what impressions they leave on other lives for eternity?
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Deeply and truly useful
"Serve one another in love" Galatians 5:13
We must live purely ourselves — if we would be able to bless others. We must resist sin, even to blood — if we would teach others how to be victorious in temptation. We must bear trials and endure sorrows with patience, submission, and faith — in order to be victorious — if we would become comforters and helpers of others in their trials. You must learn before you can teach, and the learning costs you much. At no small price, can we become true helpers of others in this world. That which has cost us nothing in the getting — will not be any great blessing to any other person. It is only when we lose our life and sacrifice it to God, that we become deeply and truly useful.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it!" Luke 9:24
"Serve one another in love" Galatians 5:13
We must live purely ourselves — if we would be able to bless others. We must resist sin, even to blood — if we would teach others how to be victorious in temptation. We must bear trials and endure sorrows with patience, submission, and faith — in order to be victorious — if we would become comforters and helpers of others in their trials. You must learn before you can teach, and the learning costs you much. At no small price, can we become true helpers of others in this world. That which has cost us nothing in the getting — will not be any great blessing to any other person. It is only when we lose our life and sacrifice it to God, that we become deeply and truly useful.
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it!" Luke 9:24
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A fatal word
There are duties which must be done at a particular moment — or they cannot be done at all.
It is today that the sick neighbor needs your visit and your help — tomorrow he may be dead!
It is today that your friend needs your sympathy, and your comfort — it will not be of any use to her tomorrow.
It is today that a tempted person needs your help in his struggle — by tomorrow he may be defeated, lying in the dust of shame.
It is today that today you must tell the story of the love of Christ — tomorrow it may be too late.
Learn well the meaning of "now" in all of life. Tomorrow is a fatal word; thousands of lives and countless thousands of hopes have been wrecked by it. Today is the time of divine blessing.
There are duties which must be done at a particular moment — or they cannot be done at all.
It is today that the sick neighbor needs your visit and your help — tomorrow he may be dead!
It is today that your friend needs your sympathy, and your comfort — it will not be of any use to her tomorrow.
It is today that a tempted person needs your help in his struggle — by tomorrow he may be defeated, lying in the dust of shame.
It is today that today you must tell the story of the love of Christ — tomorrow it may be too late.
Learn well the meaning of "now" in all of life. Tomorrow is a fatal word; thousands of lives and countless thousands of hopes have been wrecked by it. Today is the time of divine blessing.
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Not by wrestling, but by clinging
Jacob had victory and blessing not by wrestling, but by clinging. His limb was out of joint and he could struggle no more, but he would not let go. Unable to wrestle, he wound his arms around the mysterious opponent, and held on until at last he conquered.
Just so, we do not get victory in prayer until we cease struggling, give up our own will, and throw our arms around our Father's neck in clinging faith! Human strength cannot take blessing from God. It is never the strength of our willfulness which prevails with God, but rather clinging faith. It is not when we press and seek our own will, but when humility and trust unite and say, "Not my will — but Yours be done." We are persuasive with God, only to the degree that self is conquered and is dead. Not by wrestling, but by clinging — do we get the blessing.
Jacob had victory and blessing not by wrestling, but by clinging. His limb was out of joint and he could struggle no more, but he would not let go. Unable to wrestle, he wound his arms around the mysterious opponent, and held on until at last he conquered.
Just so, we do not get victory in prayer until we cease struggling, give up our own will, and throw our arms around our Father's neck in clinging faith! Human strength cannot take blessing from God. It is never the strength of our willfulness which prevails with God, but rather clinging faith. It is not when we press and seek our own will, but when humility and trust unite and say, "Not my will — but Yours be done." We are persuasive with God, only to the degree that self is conquered and is dead. Not by wrestling, but by clinging — do we get the blessing.
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There is a strange absence of uplifting, wholehearted, cheerful words
We let our friends go through life, without enough tokens of appreciation. We avoid compliments. We hide our tender interest and our kind feelings from them. We are afraid to give one another words of praise or of encouragement — in case we should seem to flatter them, or we should encourage their pride. Even in many of our homes, there is a strange absence of uplifting, wholehearted, cheerful words. Let us not be afraid to say appreciative and complimentary things, when they are deserved and are sincere. Let us lose no opportunity . . .
to show kindnesses,
to express sympathy,
to give encouragement.
When encouragement is warranted — our silence can be sinful.
We let our friends go through life, without enough tokens of appreciation. We avoid compliments. We hide our tender interest and our kind feelings from them. We are afraid to give one another words of praise or of encouragement — in case we should seem to flatter them, or we should encourage their pride. Even in many of our homes, there is a strange absence of uplifting, wholehearted, cheerful words. Let us not be afraid to say appreciative and complimentary things, when they are deserved and are sincere. Let us lose no opportunity . . .
to show kindnesses,
to express sympathy,
to give encouragement.
When encouragement is warranted — our silence can be sinful.
~J. R. Miller~
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