Topical Bible: Compassion and Sympathy: Promise to Those Who Show

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Topical Encyclopedia

Compassion and sympathy are central themes in the Bible, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. These virtues are not only encouraged but are also accompanied by promises of divine favor and blessing for those who embody them.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently highlights the importance of compassion and sympathy. In the Old Testament, God is described as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and truth (Exodus 34:6). This divine attribute sets a precedent for human behavior, urging believers to mirror God's compassion in their interactions with others.

In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies compassion through His ministry. He heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and comforts the sorrowful, demonstrating a profound empathy for human suffering. 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."

Promises to the Compassionate

The Bible promises blessings to those who show compassion and sympathy. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse underscores the idea that acts of compassion are not only morally right but are also investments in divine favor.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces blessings on the merciful: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). This promise indicates a reciprocal relationship between showing mercy and receiving it, both from God and from others.

Practical Expressions

Compassion and sympathy are expressed through tangible actions. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates this vividly. The Samaritan's willingness to help a wounded stranger, despite cultural animosities, exemplifies true compassion. Jesus concludes the parable by instructing, "Go and do likewise," urging believers to act with mercy and kindness.

The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). This directive emphasizes the communal aspect of compassion, where believers are called to support and uplift each other in times of need.

Eternal Perspective

The promise of reward for compassion extends beyond earthly life. In Matthew 25:34-40 , Jesus speaks of the final judgment, where acts of kindness toward "the least of these" are equated with service to Christ Himself. The righteous are welcomed into eternal life, having demonstrated their faith through compassionate deeds.

James 2:13 further reinforces this eternal perspective: "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of mercy in the believer's life, with eternal implications.

Conclusion

The Bible's teachings on compassion and sympathy are clear and compelling. Those who embody these virtues are promised divine favor, both in this life and the next. Through acts of kindness and mercy, believers reflect the heart of God and fulfill the law of Christ, securing blessings that transcend temporal existence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 19:17
He that has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 10:42
And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Compassion of Jesus
... hold of Christ, I used to get a touch of the promise now and ... Many and many a time,
when no other compassion could help, when all the sympathy of friends ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/the compassion of jesus.htm

Where are the Nine?
... He gives no promise to heal, but asks for reliance on an implied promise. He has
not a syllable of sympathy; His tender compassion is carefully covered up. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/where are the nine.htm

Hebrews xi. 7
... As if one should promise playthings to an intelligent child ... by all as an object of
compassion, with what ... with thee, and thinkest those without sympathy who do ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiii hebrews xi 7.htm

Footnotes:
... go through some laborious work upon promise of a ... absurdly mistaken for the whole
of compassion; if there ... thoughts"namely, of a mutual sympathy between each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/footnotes .htm

The Note of Cheer
... man whose self-mastery lifted him above sympathy with common ... Great he was, but great
in compassion as well ... For such is this treasure of promise committed unto ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter v the note of.htm

Jesus as a Friend.
... The promise is that he will sustain us under the ... It was not thus, however, that the
sympathy of Jesus ... which did not touch his heart and stir his compassion. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xv jesus as a.htm

"Let not Your Heart be Troubled"
... with divine love and with the tenderest sympathy, Christ said ... and profess to claim
the Lord's promise; they talk ... Jesus looks with compassion on His disciples. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 73 let not your.htm

"Who is My Neighbor?"
... so the Savior gives us the unfailing promise of His ... if you would get into full sympathy
with others ... we may be filled with tenderness and love and compassion. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter viii who is my.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... had erected, shut even the disciples from sympathy with the ... refusal of Jesus, she
saw a compassion that He ... the Jews, and "partakers of His promise in Christ by ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

In his Temple
... the people; but they were without sympathy or compassion. ... for they had felt His great
sympathy and wonderful ... eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm