Sinners in the hands of a compassionate God - by Colin McGeer

A preacher friend Colin McGeer put this note on his Facebook profile today. It really blessed me.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), (2Corinthians 1:3)

For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not fail you or destroy you or forget the covenant of your fathers, which He swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:31)

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God was their redeemer. But they flattered Him with their mouths, and they lied to Him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with Him, neither were they faithful in His covenant. But He, full of pity, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; yea, many times He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath. (Psalm 78:35-38)

We have been taught that God is a different God in the Old Testament to the God in the New Testament. We have this picture of a harsh and unforgiving God who was bent on death and destruction.

What is the truth, though? It seems very confusing because it sounds like two opposing views. Does God have a split personality?

Man is harsh and unforgiving. Demanding justice and very, very cruel.

Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man."
(2Samuel 24:14)

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion.
(Psa 111:4)

Webster’s Dictionary defines compassion as, "sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, accompanied by an urge to help; it is deep sympathy or pity."

We can see by that definition that compassion is both an inward feeling and an outward expression toward others.

Jesus ministered to the sick and the hurting from a heart of compassion.

But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. (Mathew 9:36)

And Jesus went out and saw a great crowd, and He was moved with compassion toward them. And He healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)

He had splagchnizomai. (Greek word for compassion.) It is not just concern, it goes beyond the ordinary. The New American Standard Dictionary defines it as: to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion. Strong’s Dictionary terms it as: to have the bowels yearn.

God desires mercy and not judgment. Kingdom life requires genuine love, to know people as God does, not judging from outward appearances, but looking for the inner beauty.

And finally, all be of one mind, having compassion on one another, loving the brothers, tenderhearted, friendly. (1Peter 3:8)