“Spiritual compassion is not measured by how well we expose another person’s sin issues, but by how well we stand with them to resolve them, gently.”
Define Compassion in two words: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). “Jesus wept” says it all. Jesus in true humanity was so compassionate (Matthew 9;36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; 23:37; Mark 1:41). Compassion is a Divine Attribute that humans were created with and when we are compassionate we imitate God. But more deeply, we experience firsthand the Love of God, which should cause us to seek God and share God. God wants us to think like God so, God gave us The Living Word — His Son, and God gave us the written Word — The Bible. The Bible is the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Compassion is all about caring for others, giving and loving, and sympathy and empathy.
Compassion is not a Christian virtue! Compassion is a common trait of humanity, as is hate and intolerance. Graciousness and compassion are two of the Divine attributes of God and are expressed through God’s Lovingkindness — God’s Grace. God has a Grace Plan for every believer (Acts 20:24). God’s Absolute Compassion for fallen humanity is demonstrated in its highest form by the Cross of Christ … when God could do no greater expression of His Compassion, God Gave (John 3:15-18). God IS LOVE. God the Father is full of mercy and compassion. God is perfectly pleased to minister mercy and compassion to the lost sinner for salvation, and the saved for deliverance.
In compassion, there is no place for revenge or rejoicing when we see people fall or cause their fall through vengeful exposure. If a loved one has sinned against you, confront him/her in private and resolve the issue. Just remember, you have your sin issues too. Compassion is gentle and kind and understanding.
Jumping to conclusions and wrongful assumptions have caused devastating hurt and judgment on innocent people throughout history.
The function of Christian integrity and the true test of our spiritual character are revealed when we need to be courageous and truthful in our relationships. God’s Love is the motivating factor in the believer and the measuring rod as we live our lives. God’s Love in us is manifested by the fruits of the spirit as we walk in fellowship, guided by the Holy Spirit. Bible Doctrine in our soul causes the us to have empathy and compassion for people. Mature believers have a real passion for compassion. The Apostle Paul was mature, courageous and compassionate. Paul, more than any other person in history exemplified compassion for Jews and Gentiles, and an unquenchable passion to do the will and work of His Savior.
Compassion is illustrated sweetly in Acts 20:17-36. Please turn in your Bibles and read for yourself. As believers, we must learn to look at ourselves objectively. Each of us struggles with our own arrogance … our own depravity. Facing up to our depravity requires constant examination/self-evaluation so that we are constant in our humility. Humility is the key that opens doors for God’s service. Want to be a great believer? Be objective about your own spirituality. Be objective about your depravity. Be honest with yourself about yourself … you are depraved!
True humility recognizes arrogance, therefore, to be a person of genuine humility …. keep looking at your sin nature with objectivity; sin is in the flesh (Romans 7:18, 25; 8:8, 13; Galatians 5:17; 6:8; 1 John 2:6). Compassion is an aspect of humility. Compassion is an expression of grace-orientation. Arrogance is self-centered and self-righteous and is in direct contrast to humility. Humility causes us to be sensitive of the needs of others.
Have you ever realized that compassion for those who are ill, suffering, or distressed can cause healing in one form or another? Compassion gives people relief and hope (Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalms 103:1-4; Hebrew 5:2; 1 Peter 3:8).
The Lord is compassionate towards those who respect Him (Psalms 103:13, 14). To respect the Lord you must be doctrinally-oriented, for Bible Doctrine is Divine Viewpoint (1 Corinthians 2: 6-16; Psalms 119:77). Isaiah 55:6 and 7 are beautiful verses because they express God’s Compassion and God’s Pardon for repenting believers.
God, throughout the Old Testament was (is) always faithful, calling to the people of Israel to come back to Him and stop worshiping idols and stop turning their backs on Him. God always initiates toward man! God is the Aggressor. Man’s soul is designed to respond to God … this is repentance in its truest meaning — turn back to Me is the man-ward call of God. God sends thunder across the sky and rain falls to water the earth. God also sends clouds of judgment to bring us back to Him.
In closing, please read James 2: 15-18. Then, flip a few pages and read James chapters 4 & 5. Now, please turn to the book of God’s Love — the Book of John, the fourth Gospel. Please read it over and over again, and every time you read it God will cause you to see His Compassion, even more. God is the Great Giver. Man is a getter! Man is arrogant and the undeserving receiver of God’s giving.
God gave His Son for you, personally. Christ died in your place … on your cross … just for you. Why would God do this? Because God is Love and God is justice. The Righteousness of God found a way to satisfy the Justice of God and that propitiation came from the crucifixion death of Jesus Christ in your place. Only God could provide salvation for lost mankind … and He did. If you will accept Christ as your Savior right now, He will come into your heart and forgive your sins. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:8). This is the kind of compassion that God wants each of us to experience for ourselves …. His compassion …. His Son (John 3: 15-18, 36).
Happy Studying!