Topical Bible: Heart: Renewed: Compassionate

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In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of one's emotions, will, and intellect. A renewed heart signifies a transformation that aligns one's inner being with the will and character of God. This transformation is marked by the development of compassion, a key attribute of a heart that reflects God's love and mercy.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of a renewed heart is rooted in the promise of the New Covenant, where God declares His intention to transform the hearts of His people. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is characterized by a heart that is sensitive to God's commands and compassionate towards others.

Compassion as a Divine Attribute

Compassion is a fundamental attribute of God, as seen throughout Scripture. In Exodus 34:6, God reveals Himself to Moses as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." A renewed heart, therefore, mirrors this divine compassion, extending love and mercy to others.

Jesus as the Model of Compassion

Jesus Christ exemplifies the ultimate model of a compassionate heart. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is moved with compassion for the suffering and needs of others. In Matthew 9:36, it is written, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." His compassion led Him to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and teach the lost.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The renewal of the heart is a work of the Holy Spirit, who cultivates the fruit of compassion within believers. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, kindness, and gentleness—qualities that are integral to a compassionate heart. The Spirit empowers believers to act with compassion, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions with others.

Practical Expressions of Compassion

A renewed heart manifests compassion in practical ways. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that true compassion transcends social and ethnic boundaries, compelling individuals to act in love and mercy towards those in need. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate that compassion involves both emotional empathy and tangible assistance.

Compassion in the Early Church

The early church exemplified a community marked by compassion. Acts 2:44-45 describes how believers shared their possessions and resources to meet the needs of others: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal compassion was a powerful testimony to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Encouragement to Cultivate Compassion

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a compassionate heart as part of their spiritual growth. Colossians 3:12 exhorts, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This call to action underscores the importance of intentionally developing a heart that reflects God's compassion in everyday life.

In summary, a renewed heart characterized by compassion is a vital aspect of the Christian life. It reflects the transformative work of God, the example of Christ, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, leading believers to act with love and mercy in a world in need.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 4:19
My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
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Lamentations 3:51
My eye affects my heart because of all the daughters of my city.
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Library

Prayer Born of Compassion
... Prayer belongs to the compassionate man ... But spiritual compassion, the kind born in
a renewed heart, which is Christly in its nature, is deeper, broader and more ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/x prayer born of compassion.htm

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... Who can slight the mercies of a compassionate Redeemer? ... And the same
power that gave life to the body had renewed the heart. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

God Rejoicing in the New Creation
... creation is a heart that is itself renewed, or else ... will give thee the desires of
thy heart." God bring ... be so: you must be gentle, compassionate, generous, kind ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/god rejoicing in the new.htm

Christian Sympathy
... into the crystal pool of a renewed heart it stirs ... within us the engine of the heart,
throbbing mightily ... the other hand, he sees your compassionate spirit, he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

To Master Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... I beg you that you ripen your heart with holy ... which you have always practised, be
renewed and refreshed ... of persons cruel to themselves and compassionate to her ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to master raimondo of capua 2.htm

General Service to the Unmercenaries and Wonder-Workers.
... My heart is fixed in the Lord, exalted is ... we joyfully vociferate unto Thee, O
compassionate One: Blessed ... womb of the Virgin and therein renewed Adam, blessed ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxvi general service to.htm

Consecration.
... from God as they fell into that mother's heart. ... the mother read of the tender,
compassionate love of ... With renewed energy she sought daily to strengthen that ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter v consecration.htm

The Waldenses.
... The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the ... of God
longed to point these souls to Jesus as their compassionate, loving Saviour ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

The Waldenses
... The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the ... of God
longed to point these souls to Jesus as their compassionate, loving Saviour ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm

The Sad Case of a Relapse into Known and Deliberate Sin, after ...
... the Lord." (Jer.3:13) Cry for renewed grace; and ... tender impressions which lie is
making upon your heart. ... That compassionate Savior will delight to restore you ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxiii the sad case.htm