A Year with Jesus: 'Living with Character & Compassion'

Dear Disciple,

In his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul wrapped his teaching on My coming back in glory - which we will consider tomorrow - with two sections on living with righteous character and gracious compassion. In his two letters to the Thessalonians, he included instructions on sexual purity, self-control, and proper use of passion and behavior in his discussion of righteous character. As part of his discussion of gracious compassion, he included teachings concerning love for each other, responsible living, properly helping those in need, and respect for others. Notice especially these two statements from Paul, the first at the beginning of the first set of verses below and the second at the end of the second set. They frame the apostle's teaching on living with character and compassion very well:

[L]ive a life that is pleasing to God as you are already doing. Yes, we urge you to keep living and thriving in that life!

Take a close look at everything, test it, then cling to what is good. Put away every form of evil.

The first set of verses below talks about general morality - about how to live in a corrupt world. Paul's teaching in these verses about morality involves two elements: righteousness and loving kindness. To reflect the Father's character, you need both of these. Throughout the Scriptures, these areas of emphasis have always been present. They are demonstrated as you love God and love your neighbor. They become real in your life as you live with righteous character and practice gracious compassion. This conduct means you seek to live a holy life full of mercy, grace, and love.

Religious leaders can sometimes emphasize only one of these areas of importance, instead of both of them. They sometimes emphasize loving kindness more than character. Other times they emphasize moral righteousness more than mercy and compassion.

Remember the nature of your Father in heaven. He perfectly displays both righteous character and gracious compassion. Out-of-balance graciousness or lopsided moral righteousness does not reflect His complete holy nature. Go back and look at how I lived My life when I walked among you. I displayed both righteous character and gracious compassion. Both moral living and loving kindness are necessary. Notice this same balance of emphasis that Paul gave to the Thessalonians as they sought to live My life in a very hostile culture. I want this balance to be seen in you as well.

The second set of verses emphasizes these principles more from the perspective of life in the church family. How would the Thessalonians apply these two principles - righteous character and gracious compassion - inside their Christian family? Notice how these standards are not just for application by individuals. They were family standards that the Thessalonians were encouraged to embrace to help each other live their daily lives:

Make sure no one returns evil for evil, but always pursue what is good as it affects one another in the church but also all people.

This sense of mutual responsibility for a family ethic was crucial for them in their day and is certainly also important in your day when people tend to individualize their faith. I gave you Christian family, spiritual community, to help each other live your lives of faith together.