On 39 separate occasions in the Bible, the trait of Compassion is referenced. It is after all a major characteristic of Almighty God!
Were it not for the compassion of God we would all surely have no hope and be left wholly to the misery of life in a fallen world.
When a person cries out to God for mercy, he is in effect relying on the Characteristic of Godly Compassion.
The Hebrew and Greek words translated as “compassion” in the Bible mean “to have mercy, to feel sympathy and to possess pity.
While Compassion certainly alludes to personal kindness and sympathy, there is still something deeper, something even more profoundly powerful, in the Biblical meaning and usage of this word.
In Latin, 'compati' means “to suffer with.” Compassion means someone else's heartbreak becomes your heartbreak. Another's suffering becomes your own suffering.
According to the Bible, God is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God “full of compassion,” and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
The Bible is clear that compassion is an attribute of God and as such, it should also be an attribute of God’s people as well.
In fifteen different gospel references, the Bible describes Jesus as being “moved with compassion” and or, as being “full of compassion,” when he was approached by people or crowds seeking his help
Matthew 9:36-37 But when he saw the multitudes, he was “moved with compassion” on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
The art of Christlike compassion involves caring more about others than you care about yourself. It is this type of compassion that is exemplified in Jesus statements, to love others as he has loved us!
It should be noted that as Jesus was “moved with compassion” over the plight of the people, and showed his great desire to help them; he also lamented over the fact that the needy were indeed plentiful, but unfortunately, finding those “moved with a like compassion” were few and far between!
Galations 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Bible is filled with stories of compassion. These examples of compassion are a call and challenge to the followers of Jesus. They tell of a Savior who suffers for the world, and they also ask us to live and act with Christlike compassion.
Where would our world be without Compassionate people? What power in the world “moves people to be compassionate?”
The ability to listen to, understand, and relate to the emotions of others, is a valuable gift, and there is certainly a lot in the scriptures about the idea of carrying another person’s burdens, emotional or otherwise.
Galations 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
In fact, God’s Spirit is described specifically as a comforter to those that are suffering.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Have you ever been M-o-v-e-d with Compassion for others? Has the Spirit of God ever moved within your soul over the sorrow of others that your compassion for them and their griefs became your own burden?
If so, you’ve experienced Christlike Compassion! It is God’s Spirit that M-O-V-E-S people to be “full of Compassion!”
by: Darrell G. Young
September 24, 2020
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