For centuries, the classic question about causality has been Which Came First … the Chicken or the Egg? Dilemmas like these arise when we can’t discern which of two events should be considered the cause and which considered the effect. When we try to figure it out through human reasoning we often get it wrong. We need the discernment we receive from the Holy Spirit.

Like many Christians, I select a word at the beginning of each year—some attribute, attitude, or action of Jesus—that I hope to adopt in the coming year in greater measure. This year is a little different because I’m still seeking more of what I prayed for last year: Compassion. The verse that inspired me is found in Matthew 9:36. “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

I want to be moved with compassion when I encounter other people, not judge or reject them because they aren’t behaving as I would like them to. But something that stood out to me as I reread Matthew 9:36 was the phrase “when he saw the crowds.” I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me, “How can you expect to develop compassion when you refuse to SEE those around you?” His question brought immediate conviction because I realized how right He was in His assessment. My tendency is to hide from what I perceive to be unpleasant, chaotic, or volatile. I preemptively self-protect, turning my eyes away from anything that makes me feel uncomfortable or at risk. Out of my desire for personal comfort and peace, I try to insulate myself from situations (and people) I don’t feel adequate to engage. This desire to stay in control of my emotions and surroundings is linked to a perfectionist approach to life. This is something I’ve long recognized in myself, but I’d never understood (till the Spirit showed me) how it kept me from developing a compassionate mindset.

I knew I lacked true compassion—the kind Jesus possessed. So I prayed fervently, assuming He would give it to me since I knew He wanted me to engage others with a better attitude. But this is one of those instances where causality is counter intuitive. Through the Holy Spirit’s revelation I came to understand that compassion would only develop in me as I exercised it. I needed to reach out and engage even when I felt uncomfortable doing so. I needed to consciously look for opportunities to better understand the people around me, especially if they didn’t share my values and views on life. Instead of dismissing and prejudging them, I needed to SEE them in all their messiness as fellow-strugglers who, along with me, didn’t have it all together. We all need the loving care of a Good Shepherd, and sometimes even His own sheep are wrestling with doubts, fears, and other issues. Everyone we encounter in life needs compassion (including ourselves).    

After receiving this insight from the Lord, I started taking steps in that direction. They’re baby steps for sure—striking up a conversation with the stranger waiting in line with me, asking more questions and offering less advice, seeking to find common ground with those I engage, etc. I began to deliberately focus on my immediate environment, looking for opportunities the Lord might be giving me to bless someone else. I realized I couldn’t fix everyone’s problems, but I could offer encouragement, even if it was just a friendly smile. As I exercised these simple steps towards being more compassionate, I found (to my surprise) that it’s far easier than I imagined it would be. I know I still have much to learn but I’m moving forward. I’m discovering that God’s Spirit supplies me with more compassion as I consciously choose to do what is consistent with the character of Jesus.

I like how the apostle Paul put it in Colossians 3:12-13. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” These are all traits we often don’t “feel” … they are acts that we choose to do whether we feel like it or not.

Jesus’ hope for those who follow Him is that we will be like a city set on a hill or a candle on a lampstand, giving light to those around us (Matthew 5:14-15). He wants us to exercise all the gifts and graces we’ve been given on behalf of the “harassed and helpless,” the unlovely, and those in great pain. As Oswald Chambers put it, “We are to be centres through which Jesus can flow as rivers of living water in blessing to everyone. Some of us are like the Dead Sea, always taking in but never giving out.” (Sept. 7, My Utmost for His Highest)

We can’t wait for our feelings—they won’t motivate us in the right direction. We need faith to believe that if we “sow righteousness” in how we interact with the world, we will be rewarded. As Proverbs 12:14 says, “From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” Spiritual growth doesn’t happen without investment.

Sometimes Christians are confused by the seeming dilemma between salvation and good works. Like the chicken and egg question, we endlessly debate about which one causes the other. But the truth is clear in Scripture. We don’t earn salvation by our good works. The finished work of Christ on the cross is what we put our faith in. He alone saves us. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus told the Pharisees, who trusted in their own works to make them acceptable to God, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he sent” (John 6:29). Doing “good” apart from believing in Jesus’ atoning work will not help us. But once we know Him, doing good is how we grow in Him and mature in our faith. As Jesus’ brother James pointed out, “Faith without deeds is useless. [Abraham’s] faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did” (James 2:20-22).

Good works follow salvation and testify to our spiritual transformation. The Holy Spirit will not only set us alive in Christ and give us the power to live for Him, but He will also illuminate our thoughts and guide us in the way we should go. We should all welcome His role in our lives as counselor, teacher, encourager, comforter, and guide and invite Him to convict us of those things that hinder our spiritual growth. He will show us the way forward if we ask Him!  

No matter what area of godliness we’re seeking, we can step out in faith and exercise what we’re praying about long before we reach our goal. And in the act of doing what is right and good, we will all “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). With His help we can “live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received” (v. 1).

Lord, we ask for your help as we begin this New Year. We want to grow in our relationship with you and to become more like Jesus, so will you show us by your Spirit where we can begin? We thank you for salvation through His shed blood and for providing everything we need to live for Him. Help us to persevere in our spiritual goals and not shrink back from our calling because of fear or love of comfort. We pray for eyes to see the needs around us, hearts to respond to your truth, and faith to step out and bless the world as we partner with you in this awesome work. Amen.