The spiritual gift of compassion and mercy is a special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to feel exceptional empathy and compassion for those who are suffering (physically, mentally, or emotionally) so as to feel genuine sympathy. Everyone has a degree of compassion within them, small or great, that defines their character and their actions. The gift of compassion goes beyond this basic character trait at a much deeper emotional level and escalates the person’s desire to show mercy to those in need.
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36 NIV)
Putting Compassion into Action
This divine enablement allows those with the gift to cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or are in need by putting compassion into action. It’s an almost automatic action, disregarding a lot of the hesitation most people feel before taking action. Things like “what’s in it for me” and “someone else will take care of it” never enter a person’s mind who has the gift. They identify those that are weaker in spirit, physically or mentally and take action as needed. Actions include speaking words of compassion, but more so caring for them with acts of love that help alleviate their distress.
The word pity is often seen as a negative term to be applied to a person or situation. Pity is defined as “a tender, considerate feeling for others” (Zondervan, 1137) and for those with the gift of compassion, pity is the fuel that drives them.
All of this compassion, mercy, and feelings of pity for others can expose the person with the gift of compassion to pain themselves. They may have added sensibilities to emotional pain and may take negative comments, feelings or actions a lot harder than someone without the gift. Sometimes they are able to detect the insincerity of a situation or person. They withdraw from those that are constantly critical of others which can hamper their use of the gift, as those are the people that may need the mercy all the more.
Pitfall of the Gift
A pitfall of this is gift can be doing too much or becoming too close to a person in need. You have to be careful not to overstep boundaries or “smother” the person with compassion and mercy. A person with this gift must always in be prayer with God for guidance on how to use the gift in each situation and not always act on first impulse. Remember that God uses adversity and trials to help Christians grow in their relationship with Him, and a person with the gift of compassion and mercy should always be mindful of this.
Martin Luther on the Spiritual Gift of Compassion and Mercy
Luther believed that the gift of compassion was a reflection of God’s own nature, which is characterized by love, kindness, and mercy. He saw compassion as the natural response of believers to the needs of others, both within and outside the church. Luther believed that those who possess the gift of compassion are called to demonstrate God’s love and care to those who are suffering, whether in body or in spirit.
Similarly, Luther emphasized the importance of the gift of mercy, which he saw as closely related to compassion. He believed that mercy involved not only meeting physical and material needs, but also extending forgiveness and grace to those who had wronged us. Luther saw the gift of mercy as an expression of God’s own forgiveness and grace, which is freely offered to all who repent and believe.
In his writings and preaching, Luther often called on Christians to show compassion and mercy to the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and to seek justice and equity for all people. He believed that these gifts were essential to the work of the church, which is called to reflect God’s love and care for all humanity.
Overall, Luther saw the spiritual gifts of compassion and mercy as an essential part of the Christian life, which are to be expressed in practical acts of service and love towards others. He believed that these gifts were a reflection of God’s own character, and that they had the power to transform both individuals and society as a whole.
John Wesley on the Spiritual Gift of Compassion and Mercy
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, placed a great emphasis on the spiritual gifts of compassion and mercy. He believed that these gifts were essential for living out the teachings of Jesus Christ and for promoting social justice and equality.
In his sermons and writings, Wesley frequently referenced the importance of showing compassion to others, particularly to the poor and marginalized. He believed that Christians had a responsibility to alleviate the suffering of those in need and to work towards creating a more just society.
Wesley also stressed the importance of showing mercy to those who had wronged us or who were struggling with sin. He believed that forgiveness and compassion were essential for promoting healing and reconciliation in relationships.
One of Wesley’s most famous quotes on compassion comes from his sermon “The Means of Grace”: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
The Catholic Church on the Spiritual Gift of Compassion and Mercy
The Catholic Church also places a great emphasis on the spiritual gifts of compassion and mercy, seeing them as essential components of Christian discipleship and service.
In Catholic teaching, compassion is closely linked to the virtue of charity, which is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things and our neighbors as ourselves for the love of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “the practice of all the virtues is animated and inspired by charity, which ‘binds everything together in perfect harmony'” (CCC 1827).
Similarly, the Church teaches that mercy is a central aspect of God’s nature, and that Christians are called to imitate God’s mercy in their relationships with others. Pope Francis has frequently emphasized the importance of mercy in his teachings and pastoral ministry, calling on Catholics to be “missionaries of mercy” who offer compassion and forgiveness to those in need.
The Catholic Church also has a long tradition of charitable works, including the establishment of hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions to serve the needs of the poor and marginalized. In recent years, the Church has continued to emphasize the importance of social justice and advocacy for the rights of the oppressed, particularly in the areas of poverty, immigration, and the environment.
People with this Gift:
- Focus upon alleviating the sources of pain or discomfort in suffering people
- Address the needs of the lonely and forgotten
- Express love, grace, and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis
- Serve in difficult or unsightly circumstances and do so cheerfully
- Concern themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people
The Apostle Paul wrote extensively about this gift and others. Learn more by visiting our Bible study information by following this link -> Unpacking the Apostle Paul
Bible References
| Matthew 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy |
| Matthew 18:21-35 | The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant |
| Matthew 20:29-34 | Jesus shows mercy on the blind men |
| Matthew 25:34-46 | Parable of the Sheep and the Goats |
| Mark 9:41 | Give a cup of water in Jesus name |
| Luke 6:35-36 | Be merciful to your enemies |
| Luke 7:12-15 | Jesus raises a widow’s son |
| Luke 10:30-37 | Good Samaritan |
| Romans 12:6-8 | Gift of mercy mentioned by Paul |
| Romans 9:14-18 | God chooses whom he has mercy upon |
| 1 Timothy 1:12-17 | Paul was shown mercy |
| 1 John 4:7-11 | Love one another |
| 1 John 4:20-21 | If you love God and hate your brother, then you do not love God |
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- Stanley, 98-110
- Bryant, 115-118
- Zondervan, 926
Other Gifts
- Spiritual Gift of Knowledge
- Spiritual Gift of Discernment
- Spiritual Gift of Faith
- Spiritual Gift of Miracles
- Spiritual Gift of Tongues
- Spiritual Gift of Helping
- Spiritual Gift of Healing
- Spiritual Gift of Exhortation
- Spiritual Gift of Giving
- Spiritual Gift of Servanthood
- Spiritual Gift of Leadership
- Spiritual Gift of Wisdom
- Spiritual Gift of Administration
