Paul’s Extraordinary Compassion

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Usually my devotion series end neatly on a Friday, but last week I did things a bit differently, speaking about Barnabas in the first half of the week and Paul in the second half. Even though today is Monday, I want to share one last thought about Paul, whose conversion not only made him courageous, but gave him quite extraordinary compassion.

As a murderous Pharisee, he had no compassion. He had conviction, and perhaps a type of courage. But he certainly had no compassion.

God needed to convert him - to humble him so he could become a man of compassion like Jesus.

It takes some humbling to turn into a person of compassion, when you are used to being hard and judgemental and bitter.

The Real Test of Conversion

I think the real test of the genuineness of your conversion to Christianity is not so much your courage - important as that is - but your compassion. The love and grace and truth that you share with those that cross your path.

Paul's compassion shines through his story, and his writings. One of my favourite things he ever wrote was to the Philippians, where he said: "God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:8)

To some other Christians in Thessalonica, he wrote this, reflecting back on his time with them: "Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you." (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

Paul. A self-assured, arrogant, hateful Jewish man, longing for people with the affection of Jesus. Caring for people like a nursing mother because of his great love. Extraordinary.

I spoke last week about how he and Barnabas split up because Paul didn't want to give Mark a second chance, but Barnabas did. Well, a few years later, Paul is writing to the Colossians and he tells them to welcome Mark. That hardness of Paul softened, as he kept walking with Jesus.

I'm not saying he became a pushover. No ways! He still had that courage and conviction. He stood up for what he believed in even if it sent him to prison and got him killed. But no longer did he arrogantly look down on others and consider himself better than them. His compassion stands out.

It's what you get when you are truly Spirit-filled - you get compassion for people.

The Little Bird That Stopped Singing

There's a great story of Uncle Bud Robinson, a beloved Nazarene evangelist of the early years, who was travelling by train to his next revival meeting. His heart was full of joy - he later described it as having "a little bird singing in my soul." But at a station stop, that joy was tested.

Uncle Bud witnessed a railroad employee harshly berating a young mother with her children. Righteous anger stirred within him. When he approached the counter, Uncle Bud gave that employee a piece of his mind, defending the woman with sharp words.

Back on the train, Bud felt justified. He had stood up for someone who couldn't defend herself. But when he opened his Bible to read, something was wrong. The little bird in his soul had stopped singing. The Holy Spirit's gentle conviction pierced his heart.

At the very next station, Uncle Bud bought a return ticket. He walked back to that same counter and humbly told the employee, "Sir, I'm a minister of the gospel, and I owe you an apology. My words were wrong."

That simple act of humility broke down every wall. The railroad man's heart opened, tears flowed, and before their conversation ended, Uncle Bud had the privilege of leading him to Christ.

Spirit-filled people don't berate and tear people down. We stand up against evil, sure. But with gentle compassion.

The old Paul was like Uncle Bud berating the man! But the new Paul was like Uncle Bud going back - humbly, compassionately reaching out to a man who wasn't doing so well.

I pray that you and I go into the world today and live with the extraordinary compassion of Spirit-filled people. Like Paul.

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