Compassion
Compassion is on my mind for many reasons, but especially where relationships are concerned.
Peter wrote, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).
This kind of love is compassionate.
In the famous 13th chapter of First Corinthians we read: "Love is patient, love is kind and not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant; does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
This kind of love can come only from God, whom we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:10-11, 19).
This kind of compassion is noted many times in Scripture.
"Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old" (Psalm 25:6).
"You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me" (Psalm 40:11).
"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1).
"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Psalm 103:8).
"He has made His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate" (Psalm 111:4).
"Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous" (Psalm 112:4).
"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are those who long for Him" (Isaiah 30:18).
"Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).
Given God's compassion, how ought we treat other believers?
Paul wrote to the Colossians: "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (Colossians 3:12-13).
Prayers from such a heart of compassion will no doubt be answered.
Peter wrote, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).
This kind of love is compassionate.
In the famous 13th chapter of First Corinthians we read: "Love is patient, love is kind and not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant; does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
This kind of love can come only from God, whom we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:10-11, 19).
This kind of compassion is noted many times in Scripture.
"Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old" (Psalm 25:6).
"You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me" (Psalm 40:11).
"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1).
"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Psalm 103:8).
"He has made His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate" (Psalm 111:4).
"Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous" (Psalm 112:4).
"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are those who long for Him" (Isaiah 30:18).
"Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7).
Given God's compassion, how ought we treat other believers?
Paul wrote to the Colossians: "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (Colossians 3:12-13).
Prayers from such a heart of compassion will no doubt be answered.
posted by Ebeth | 11:21 AM
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