Compassion is a call to action. Compassion is seeing the needs of others and getting involved, and it often takes sacrifice. Compassionate involvement is so important because physical needs often must be relieved or removed before people can see and think clearly and deeply on the things of God.

The love of God is a picture of compassion and calls us to live with a heart of compassion. The heart of compassion modeled for us through Jesus Christ compels us to run to those in need, so that as we meet their physical needs we can point them to their deepest need—reconciliation that comes through the love of Jesus Christ.

At Cedarcrest want to be known not just for simply seeing and praying for needs but getting involved to meet those needs. Compassion is a fruit of growth in our faith. Let’s be like the Good Samaritan who laid aside his agenda to meet someone’s physical need while pointing to Christ who meets our ultimate need.

Finally, we’ll look at the next fruit of growth, which goes hand-in-hand with obedience and compassion. It’s the fruit of generosity.

“Why should I do what you say if you’re gonna love me either way?” Surely this question has crossed every believer’s mind at some point. “If God loves me and I am saved by grace alone (apart from works), why does obedience matter?” Asking this question reveals the immaturity of a believer, just as it would if a child were to ask the same question of his or her parent. It’s a question about whose agenda you have in mind—your own or God’s. Whose authority are you under—your own or God’s?

Our world often views obedience as a draining obligation, and that’s exactly what it is without understanding and accepting Christ’s free gift of grace. But obedience as a result of abiding in God’s love offers the believer freedom (John 15:10). This doesn’t mean that God only loves good little Christian boys and girls. Salvation is free and unmerited and leads to the fruit of obedience, not the other way around.

Yes, God loves you with enormous love, but growth in your faith must be evidenced by obedience to God’s Word. Obedience shows that your faith is alive! (James 2:26)

At Cedarcrest, we want love to be at the center of all we do. And what we do must be guided by obedience to the Scriptures. When we are renewing our minds to who God is through Scripture and living our lives in active obedience to His Word, we will surely be growing in our faith.