Godly Things We Should Do... and it's hard! Part 4 of 4 - Compassion

Godly Things We Should Do… and it’s hard!

Part 4 of 4 - Compassion

Continuing with the 4 part series…

Specific things I can pinpoint that I didn’t obey are 

1. Forgiveness

2. Being Grateful

3. Loving Others

4. Compassion

Compassion

What is compassion?

According to Google - Oxford languages

• Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Compassion is one of the most transformative and powerful virtues in the Bible. It goes beyond mere sympathy or pity, drawing us into the suffering of others and urging us to act with love and mercy. In a world where division and hardship often dominate the headlines, the call to live compassionately is as relevant today as it was in biblical times.

The Bible frequently portrays God as compassionate. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word racham (often translated as “compassion” or “mercy”) reflects the deep, tender love of a parent for a child. Similarly, the Greek word splagchnizomai in the New Testament conveys a visceral, deep gut-level sympathy, often leading to acts of kindness and mercy.

Throughout Scripture, God’s compassion is demonstrated through His actions toward His people. In the Old Testament, God’s compassion is evident in His mercy toward the Israelites despite their repeated disobedience.

For example, in the book of Exodus, when the Israelites are enslaved in Egypt, God sees their suffering and acts in compassion by sending Moses to lead them to freedom:

“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.’” (NLT)

(Exodus 3:7)

Even when Israel rebels and turns away from God, He continues to show compassion. In the book of Hosea, God speaks to His people in the midst of their waywardness, calling them back to Himself:

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? … My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.” (Hosea 11:8)

God’s compassion in the Old Testament reflects His enduring love and patience, a theme that is consistently reinforced throughout the Bible.

As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His compassion. The Apostle Paul urges believers to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12). This is not a passive virtue, but an active one that moves us to action—whether that means comforting someone in grief, helping someone in need, or forgiving those who have wronged us.

Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). This beatitude underscores the reciprocal nature of compassion: as we extend mercy to others, we reflect God’s mercy toward us. Compassion, then, becomes a way of participating in the life of God, sharing in His love for the world.

Compassion is not just a theological concept; it has real, practical implications for how we live day by day. Here are a few ways we can practice compassion in our everyday lives:

• Listening with empathy: Sometimes, the most compassionate thing we can do is listen to someone in distress. Proverbs 18:13 says, “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Offering a listening ear can bring immense comfort to someone who is hurting.

• Serving those in need: Compassion often requires action. James 2:15-16 speaks about the need to show mercy through acts of service: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” True compassion moves us to take tangible steps to help those who are struggling.

• Forgiving others: Forgiveness is a profound expression of compassion. Ephesians 4:32 calls us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” By extending forgiveness, we mirror the grace that God has shown us.

• Advocating for justice: Compassion also involves standing up for those who are oppressed or marginalized. Isaiah 1:17 encourages believers to “seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Compassion calls us to be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves.

How are you going to put these in play in your everyday life?

Have a blessed weekend and a great week coming up!