…[clothe yourselves with] …compassion …
Summary: God’s Word is amazingly consistent in every way. Compassion has something very much in common with faith; both require deeds to become real.
The first piece of spiritual “clothing” that Paul wants us to put on is compassion.
“Compassion” is a word that describes the feelings of pity and sympathy we have for people who are suffering. The Greek word Paul used takes this concept even further.
In Paul’s day, the word he used referred to a powerful feeling of tenderness coming from deep within. When the Bible uses the word compassion, it is not a momentary feeling. It is a force of nature.
In both stories about Jesus feeding thousands of people, Mark uses the word “compassion” to describe what Jesus was feeling. Jesus is deeply touched by the thousands of people who have come to be near him (Mark 6:30-44, Mark 8:1-13).
In both cases, deep compassion leads to action. The feeding of thousands of people in one sitting is arguably one of his most profound miracles. Imagine the impact of such an event. Thousands upon thousands of people are fed and eat as much as they want with food left over.
The power of God’s love for us is made visible in his compassion. Not just by what he feels for the people but by what he does.
Which brings us back to faith and deeds (James 2: 14-26).
James makes the point that “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). His point is a bit terrifying if you believe in hell. He asks, “Can such faith save [us]?” (James 2:14)
If the answer is “No,” as James suggests, then we need to have a living faith, one that is made alive by what we do. Remember, James is not talking about “works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Instead, he is talking about how we live our faith, just like Paul’s word for “compassion” expects that there is an action that flows from the heart.
The Hebrew understanding of the word expects “tender mercy” to flow from the heart. This is more than just pity. Like Jesus feeding the five thousand, compassion involves doing.
Application: Do compassion!
Food for Thought: How does clothing ourselves with compassion like Jesus did change a person’s life?
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