BLESSINGS, GRACIOUSNESS AND COMPASSION

“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” – Luke 6:36

The Blessed Person is gracious and compassionate: “Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is GRACIOUS, and full of COMPASSION, and righteous” (Psa.112:4). Such a person is full of kindness to all around, tenderly feels for others, empathises with them, and extends a hand of help as far as practicable in their times of trouble, thus becoming God's image bearer. Graciousness, Compassion, and Mercy always go hand-in-hand. Verse 5 of Psalm 112 (NASB) states “It is well with the man who is gracious and lends.” People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care: “But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1Jh.3:17).

Several scriptures attest to God’s Gracious and Compassionate Character, which are also attributes of the Blessed Person:

“…I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exo.33:19b).

“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psa.86:15).

“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psa.111:4; 145:8)

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lam.3:22).

The blessed person emulates the God-like quality of graciousness and being compassionate, even as the Scriptures instruct: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother” (Zech.7:9). This is one sure path into the fullness of blessings. The Lord Jesus Christ taught graciousness and compassion:

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Lk.6:27-35).

Graciousness and Compassion were the motivators and drivers of many of the Lord’s miracles and acts of healing:

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Mt.9:36).

“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Mt.14:14).

“So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him” (Mt.20:34).

“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep” (Lk.7:13)

The New Testament also exhorts graciousness and compassion as pathways to the Blessed Life: “And be kind to one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also forgave you” (Eph.4:32). “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a BLESSING” (1Pet.3:8-9). No man is like Christ who does not care for others. And no Christian truly cares for others without caring for the souls of others.