The topic of compassion has come up several times since the earthquake in Haiti. Millions of people have shown compassion by sending financial aid to the victims of this tragedy. Some are quick to judge and proclaim that the people of Haiti are in judgment, while others are seeing the beauty of God’s grace and mercy over the people who are calling on His Son’s name. Where does compassion come from? How do we ‘get’ compassion? The King James Version of the scriptures mentions compassion forty-one times. I recommend you go to your concordance and look up all the verses regarding compassion. It’s amazing when we read all of those verses together.

1 Peter 3:8-9, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

We are told to be of one mind. There are seven references of ‘one mind’. One mind being that of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: “

Having one mind in Christ will bring about the compassion that can only come from Him. In and of ourselves we do not have compassion. It is by His love manifesting in and through us that compassion comes forth through our lives. We are to take no glory for ourselves. All the glory goes to Him who redeemed us and reconciled us to our Heavenly Father.

When compassion comes from our hearts, it’s from Jesus who is in us. As we die to ourselves, He can live in us. When He lives through us collectively, He can walk among us. As He walks among us, His glory is seen in the Body. It’s all about Him.

Credit for photo: Wiki Media Commons

Are our hearts so filled with judgment towards other’s sin that we lack the heart filled compassion towards humanity?
Did Jesus only die for those who choose Him?
Jesus is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance.

How can we be used by our Lord to reach those who are crying out to him if our actions are bound and riddled with judgment? It was not man who could convince Saul that he was wrong for killing Christians. It was Jesus who did that. It is not “us” who reach the lost for Christ, it is Him in us that does the reaching. So, is He reaching them through you? Is He reaching towards them with compassion, through you? Have we truly died to our self-righteousness so He could live in His righteousness through us?

When we are laying down our lives for Him and allowing Him to cultivate His love in us, His compassion will naturally manifest in and through our lives to reach others. If compassion isn’t coming naturally, seek Him who does come naturally.

Has your family discussed the situation in Haiti?

What charities does your family recommend for helping the victims in Haiti?

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.