May Our Compassion Be as God's

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."  - John Bunyan, English writer and preacher (1628-1688)

Compassion is an indispensable element of God's nature and is a requirement of anyone who obeys Jesus. To display or show compassion entails both recognizing the feelings of others (empathy), and making a decision to provide assistance and support.

As one reads through the Bible, it's not difficult to see what an important role "compassion" plays in Scripture. You get an intense, heartfelt feeling of sadness for the distress of others, usually with a desire to mitigate their misery.

Let's briefly explore some examples of what His compassion looks like. One illustration that stands out is God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, motivated by their pleas for help in Exodus (OT).

In the NT, Jesus displayed compassion by mending the sick, providing sustenance to those in need, and eventually willingly enduring suffering and death to bring humanity back to God.

As long as we're talking about Jesus, mention should be made of his compassion for sinners. This particular theme is a core concept throughout the Gospels. He manifested this by offering help to the powerless, extending kindness and mercy, and providing a way to redemption through repentance.

This was demonstrated in the many ways he offered help to others, including:

• the impoverished (Luke 4:18); 
• the helpless (Luke 6:20); 
• the socially disadvantaged (1 John 3:17);
• the downtrodden (Luke 3:11); 
• the marginalized (Matthew 25:35-40); 
• the neglected (Mark 10:21)

Of course, this was met with resistance and skepticism. But Jesus's actions only served to reinforce his teachings and mission: that he came to seek and save the lost and not condemn them (Luke 19:10; John 3:17). 

It's also significant to note this is the same essence of His character and is a key factor that mandates how believers in Him are to live. Essentially speaking, God's compassion is defined by a deep love and sympathy for others, and a desire to help them.

But I must be clear that it's more than just "a feeling." One must actively engage with the suffering and needs of others, as well. This can be conveyed through forgiveness, mercy, and benevolence.

Lastly, while our discussion here in no way exhausts the subject of God's compassion, I hope, at the very least, that a mental picture of His compassion has already begun to take shape. I pray that you will follow God's example and show your compassion to the world!

Scripture: Luke 6:36; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:32; James 5:11; 1 John 3:17

Prayer: "Dear God, help me  sympathize with the pain and struggles of others, and to respond with empathy and a desire to help. Amen."

Yours in Christ,

Emily