"Therefore, 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. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Today we'll look at the first; COMPASSION.
COMPASSION: feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Our God is a God of COMPASSION! He upholds the distinct characteristic of compassion throughout history.
"But you, Lord, are a COMPASSIONATE and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Ps. 86:15 & 103:8 & 145:8
"Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'Lord, save me!' The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is FULL of COMPASSION. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me." Ps. 116:4-6
"For the Lord comforts his people and will have COMPASSION on his afflicted ones." Isaiah 49:13b
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his COMPASSIONS never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have COMPASSION on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19
God's compassion wasn't once... it is contiual, a continual act of alleviating our suffering, our pain.... our sin. Many verses describe His compassion as deep, with everlasting kindness, also accompanied by tenderness.
Jesus showed compassion wherever He went... to the crowds, and to the individual that was hurting. He showed compassion in healing, compassion towards the lost by teaching them His way...compassion in feeding them - miraculously feeding the crowds... compassion in His touch, compassion in His embrace. Compassion... JESUS was and is still today COMPASSION.
We like Him are called to show compassion.
"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and COMPASSION, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" Philippians 2:1-3
"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be COMPASSIONATE and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
Who is God calling you to have COMPASSION on? Who are you to show compassion to; just as He has been so very compassionate to you... full of mercy and grace? There are so many hurting around us in our world today - so many lost, so many confused, so many in turmoil. I find it interesting that God has made time for me to address compassion on a day where tornadoes are flying through this part of our country. A time following so much destruction.
There are people that are in NEED of compassion today - in need physically, spiritually, emotionally. What will you do? What will I do to show compassion... HIS COMPASSION. May we be more like Him daily - be empowered by His Spirit and clothe yourself in COMPASSION today!
