Compassion linked to the gospel is compassion that goes beyond merely observing hurting people; it sees hurting people and realizes that Jesus loves them furiously. Ultimately, then, it’s not our compassion but the compassion of Jesus that fuels and sustains our desire to act on others’ behalf. When We remember how gracious and compassionate Christ has been to us, our compassion is as sustainable as our remembrance of the gospel. Without Him, compassion will slowly but surely devolve into a weepy moment that we forget as soon as the commercial ends or someone breaks the mood with a joke.
–Matt Chandler
Gospel-based compassion is based upon the love of Jesus. It is seeing the world through Jesus’ eyes. But we will only have this type of compassion as we remember the great compassion Jesus had for us. Our remembrance of the gospel and how it has radically changed our lives leads us into deeper care and concern for others. When I realize that I was unworthy of His love due to my sinful thoughts, attitudes, and actions, and yet He loved me anyway all the way to the cross, then it reminds me that I should love others in the same way. We love because He first loved us. I hope that your understanding of the gospel makes a difference in your compassion for others today. I hope that your heart breaks for others around you today as you look at them through the eyes of Jesus with the compassion, care, concern, and love of Him.