BLESSED ASSURANCE
A compassionate and gracious God
Psalm 86:15 "You, Oh Lord are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
The word 'compassion' comes from two Latin words meaning to 'suffer with.' Compassion is different from love - compassion stems from love. It is the manifestation, the arm of love. If you love but you don't show it, it's useless. As Christians we should be angels of mercy and compassion.
What better way to describe God's compassion for us?
Jesus became a man (a human) so He would understand how we feel in different circumstances of our lives. He knows how it is to feel lonely, rejected, criticize, mock, and grieve. Not only does He know and feel what we feel, Jesus showed us how we should treat our fellowmen. And that is: 1. To show Love and Compassion 2. To be Gracious-marked by kindness, courtesy and charm. 3. Slow to anger - patient. 4. Abounding in Love - we are full of love and concern for our fellowmen. 5. Faithfulness - allegiance, loyal, confidence in our God and confident because of Him.
These sum up the characteristics of a child of God. Jesus exemplified all these so we can look to Him as our example, our Pattern to live by.
Jesus sums it up in the commandment "If you love God then it equals to loving your neighbor." And how do you love your neighbor? The same way you love yourself.
Jesus was always moved with compassion especially for the sick. He 'suffered with them.' God sees our suffering and feels compassion for us. The greatest act of compassion is the CROSS. There Christ suffered for us. He endured sins penalty so we don't have to endure it ourselves. Now He calls us to have compassion on others. "To suffer with" them so we can point to them the One who suffered for them, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1st Peter 3:8 "Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." A verse that reminds us how and what we should be. Every act of kindness and compassion on our part must reflect the love of Jesus coming through us.