As Jesus saw people the way God saw them, He was moved. He couldn't just sit there and look at them and think, "Oh, those poor people." It's amazing how many times we have seen video clips or heard stories about people from all over the world who are hurting and desperate for Christ.
Not only are they not saved—they don't even have any way to get saved. There are people all around the world with no Bibles, preachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian television or radio programs, Christian bands...nothing.
Who Else Is Going To Reach Them?
We hear about them, but we have virtually no compassion in our hearts for them. We think to ourselves, "Oh, those poor people. It's just too bad." No, it's not just too bad, it's a tragedy! We hear about them so much we have become callused to their plight, and we think that somebody else is reaching them.
We hear stories that should move us to compassion, but we are so self-centered we are not moved at all. We just feel sorry for them. Feeling sorry for them won't save them. Feeling sorry for them won't get the Gospel to them. Feeling sorry for them is not being selfless; it's just a way to justify our selfishness.
Our hearts get a little bit sad and maybe we even feel like we will pray for them, but if we are not doing anything to help them with their plight, we are being selfish.
When you think about the needs of the people of the world, going to reach them should be the natural response. When you're moved with compassion, you should be compelled to do something about it the way Jesus did. Jesus didn't say, "Oh, those poor people." He said, "I've got to go to the cross for those people." That needs to be our response. It is the natural response of a mature believer.
Godly Compassion Reaches Out
We shouldn't have to be convinced that we really need to go. When we see the people, hear the stories, and see videos, our hearts should be overwhelmed with a compulsion to do something to help reach them. I'm not trying to be 'Joe Spiritual', I'm just trying to be a normal Christian who can sense the compassion of God for real people.
Some people think that you have to be an awesome Christian, or mega-spiritual, in order to go on a mission trip. Maybe you don't feel that spiritual so you think you shouldn't go. Going on a mission trip should be normal to people who care about loving God. When you care about the people God loves, you want to do something to reach them.
Write down the names of some countries you might be interested in going to. Start doing research and find a way to get with your church or with some other organization to get to one of the nations God has put on your heart.
It's time to be moved—out of your comfort zone, out of your hometown. It's time to be moved with compassion to the harvest field of reaching the world.
Myths About Maturity In Christ by Ron Luce.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania