Meet Bryan Robert

This is how we are to treat one another out of response to how God has chosen us and loved us with a holy love. Holy means "sacred" or "set apart." We cannot understand what a holy love truly means here on earth. Because of this holy love, however, we are to "put on" these attributes. Others should see these qualities, and they should mark us as believers.

My best man in our wedding used to live with me. It was a true blessing for me. I realized that I was lacking in a particular area of my life: compassion. I was reading through Matthew and realized how Jesus would see a crowd and He would have compassion for them. This was repeated over and over. The Latin root word for compassion is compassio, which means "to suffer with." The first thing Jesus did when He approached people was literally to suffer with them. He took the time to put Himself in their shoes and take on the pain they were experiencing. We are to be bearing each others' burdens and not approach others with judgment or condemnation in our hearts.

So quickly my heart ran to judge my brother. I had forgotten and devalued God's kindness that led me to repentance. My heart had grown prideful, and I didn't know how to be gentle. My patience was gone. This all happened mainly inside in my heart, but it started because I lost sight of who God says I am. We all need the reminder.

We are chosen by God, holy and dearly loved by Him. We were all foolish and disobedient at some point in our lives and continue to make mistakes, but when the kindness of God appeared, He saved us. He saved us solely because of His incredible mercy and by His grace through our God-given faith. Don't lose sight of the incredible price that was paid for your sins and the incomprehensible gift you have been given. Out of this understanding, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.