A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34

Why are some people so caring for others while some are perpetually selfish? Is it even possible for a selfish person to become caring? The Bible tells of many people who changed their treatment of others after an encounter with Jesus.

For example, no one could believe the change in the life of Zacchaeus!  He was a corrupt tax collector in the Bible who returned four times the amount he stole from others after meeting Jesus (Luke 19:1-10).  Perhaps your own life changed dramatically when you first encountered Jesus and His teaching.

And yet, you may also know people who profess to know Jesus but remain selfish and uncaring.  Perhaps they are in the process of surrendering to the Holy Spirit.  Because compassion for others is just not something that we wake up with one day. Our lives and behaviors are only transformed to the degree that we allow our hearts to be changed by God, as we surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  If we are consumed by ourselves, God’s love is not in us and our ability to care for others is stifled. Ask God to enable you to see others through God’s eyes.

No love is more powerful an agent of change than God’s perfect love for us.  Take a moment to reflect on your own care for others. Is there anything in your heart that has not been open to the work of the Holy Spirit moving you toward compassion for others?

Resource Reading: Romans 12:9-21