What is true compassion? Is it caring for others? Is it helping others? The dictionary defines compassion as ‘sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. We live in a world where people are so focussed on their own self that they may not know how or when to show compassion to those that need it.

Colossians 3:12 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Showing compassion is one of the things we are called to do as Christians. You cannot claim to be a Christian and yet live your life without any compassion for other people in your life. The holy spirit within us will compel us to show compassion to others whenever we are called to do so.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” From this verse, it is clear that Jesus is the father of compassion and if we need to learn how to be compassionate then we have to learn it from him. For us to be compassionate we need to know the feeling of compassion ourselves.

Jesus was always compassionate during his ministry to everyone he came across. He healed those who were sick when they need healing. He fed the hungry when they wanted something to eat. He was a friend to those to needed a friend. He listened to those who had no one else to talk to. He stood up for those who had no one else to help them. He showed sympathy to those who lost a loved one. He was the most compassionate and loving person that ever lived on this planet. So if we accepted Jesus into our lives, shouldn’t some of that compassion rub off on us also?

Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This is exactly how we should live as Christians. We have to be kind and compassionate to one another. We have to show sympathy for those who need compassion and be willing to keep our hearts open to helping those in need.  In order to do this, we must align our hearts with Jesus Christ. Jesus is all about compassion and if we seek him with all our hearts and ask him for guidance then we will become compassionate and loving just like him. We live in a world that desperately needs compassionate people and the only way to be compassionate people is to seek Jesus with all our hearts. Sooner or later we will start turning into loving, compassionate people when Jesus starts working in our hearts and changes us from within.