An ABC of Faith

Compassion

A favourite hymn of mine written by Albert Orsborn and based on 1 John 3:17  “But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?” - it has the the words:-

The Saviour of men came to seek and to save

The souls who were lost to the good;

His Spirit was moved for the world which He loved

With the boundless compassion of God.

And still there are fields where the labourers are few,

And still there are souls without bread,

And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,

And still straying sheep to be led.

Chorus:
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth Thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I now know I can find it in Thee.

The Latin root for the word compassion is pati, which means to suffer, and the prefix com- means with. Compassion, originating from compati, literally means to suffer with. The connection of suffering with another person brings compassion beyond sympathy into the realm of empathy.

I see compassion as a holy, Godly word for it epitomises Christ as the suffering Saviour. The one who “himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering; and he is now seated at the right hand of God’s throne. Think constantly of him enduring all that sinful men could say against him and you will not lose your purpose or your courage. (Hebrews 12:2 - J B Philips)

Now it follows that we too should emulate the compassion of Christ if we are to be his true disciples. It was Henri J.M. Nouwen who said, “Prayer for others, therefore, cannot be seen as an extraordinary exercise that must be practiced from time to time. Rather, it is the very beat of the compassionate heart. Action with and for those who suffer is the concrete expression of the compassionate life and the final criterion of being a Christian.” 

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the God of all compassion. You have shown me kindness my whole life, and Your word teaches me that I should respond to others with this same kindness. My life experiences have taught me to stay at arm’s length from others, so I need Your help. Please give me the compassion I need to reach those around me. Amen.