Moved with Compassion

Colossian 3:12 (NIV) reads, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Compassion is a deep, empathetic feeling of sorrow for someone’s suffering that motivates one to help or show mercy. It’s more than just a feeling, but it’s an active response to the sufferings of others. As disciples of Christ, we are called to go, to step outside ourselves and extend our hearts to those around us, especially those who are in need. 

Jesus had great compassion for mankind. He was moved deeply in His inner being by the needs of those around Him. Our "compassion motivation" should be the great love of our Savior, who came to this sinful world, who saw the great needs of lost people, who felt compassion for them, and who served them with the good news of salvation. If you have experienced that salvation, then you’re qualified as one of His workers in His harvest. And as His laborers, He wants you to see as He saw, to feel as He felt, and to do as He did. 

Christian mission begins with the fact that Jesus feels compassion for lost and hurting people. And because his heart goes out to a broken world, Jesus wants us—those who know him, who have been found by the Good Shepherd—to do something about it.

As we reflect on this call to compassion, let us not forget that we are recipients of God’s compassion as well. We have been forgiven, healed, and loved unconditionally. How can we hold onto that grace without extending it to others? Let us not be satisfied with mere sympathy; let us be moved to action and be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that is crying out for compassion.

God does not want people to perish in their sins. God is a God of compassion. Consider your heart and choose a perspective that loves others. And remember...

Even in our brokenness, He loves us.

Even in our despair, He loves us.

Even in our confusion, he loves us.

As the recipient of this great love, how could you not be a worker in the fields of compassion? What action can you take this week to show love and kindness to someone in need? 

Saved to Serve,

Pastor Keith