When Passion/Zeal Becomes Compassion
- Tonight, we will be discussing Biblical Passion/Zeal and Compassion, as it applies to God and His Plan for us.
- Passion births Compassion.
- In the Bible, Passion/Zeal often means intense love, zeal, or devotion (example: God’s passion for His people/ His Glory, or Paul’s intense care in the New Testament), rooted in deep feeling, while Compassion (from the Greek splagchna) means “suffering with”. A deep, internal empathy and mercy for others’ suffering, moving one to action (To witnessing Salvation, or the saving of the soul, or meeting a need,) with Jesus as an ultimate example, giving all the Glory to God. The key difference is that Passion (can be self-focused, Narcissism), but biblical Compassion is a divine quality of sharing suffering and showing mercy, which is absolutely essential for being a pure witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:40-41; 6:34; Luke 7:13 only Son of the Widow; Ps 86:14-17; 111:1-4; 112:1-10; 145:8-9.
- What is God’s Passion? God’s Passion is a strong personal feeling (love, enthusiasm, desire) for man. Focusing on personal fulfillment or goals, i.e. getting man to Heaven. It is an inward intense feeling of devotion for an activity, concept, or person, (Us) going beyond a mere hobby to become a core part of your identity, driving you to invest significant time and energy (Death)and often leads to deep joy, focus and even self-improvement (Kingdom of God on earth and eventually Heaven). Passion fuels actions (witnessing, prayer and fasting) for our aims (souls); His compassion (working through us) motivates actions for others’ needs (Salvation in witnessing and prayer to the saving of souls), even at personal cost, though passion can evolve into compassion….
- What is Compassion? Compassion is a deep feeling of sympathy for others’ suffering, coupled with a desire to help, focused desire for others’ well-being, often involving self-sacrifice or enduring hardship with someone else. Compassion is directed toward others for their benefit. Compassion is outward focused.
- Ministers must have Compassion, Heb 5:2.
- We must have compassion for each other as stated in 1 Pet 3:8-9; Jude 20-25; Zech 7:8-10.
- Also, in the Word of God, Passion is deep, fiery love/zeal for God, His Glory, justice or people (like Paul’s zeal for the Corinthians). While compassion in the Hebrew “racham”, is feeling the hurt of someone’s suffering, moved by mercy to help, like Jesus with the sick in the above Scriptures. Passion drives purpose; Compassion drives action towards others, both stemming from God’s heart, with Compassion being the pure expression of love in suffering.
- In the Bible “Passion” has two main meanings: The suffering and Death of Jesus (The Passion of the Christ) some translations define Passion as sinful or worldly desires and emotions (Greek: pathos), like lust or strong, uncontrollable feelings often contrasted with spiritual devotions. However, the new English version reflects it as a positive emotion.
- Zeal, in the Biblical sense refers to a fervent intensity or passion directed toward a cause, person, or principle. The original terms-“qana” in Hebrew and “zelos” in Greek communicates a sense of vigorous dedication, that can be positive or negative, depending on the object of one’s devotion. The Bible highlights zeal as an important element of Faith, depicting it as a heartfelt commitment meant to honor and serve God. Spiritual Zeal in the Bible is often associated with fervor and dedication to God and His Commandments. It is a passionate commitment to serve God above all, Matt 6:33. Zeal is not just about personal fervor, but about preserving the sanctity of faith and serving others with love and service. It is a powerful witness to the Grace and Mercy of God and His transforming love towards mankind. At the fullest, it is a driving force that glorifies God by fueling believers to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to serve others. Numbers 25:11; Is 9:6-7; John 2:17, the Zeal for your House will consume Me (This means all other desires are absorbed by the one desire to promote God and the Glory of His Temple); Titus 2:14…… Zealous unto good works.
- The Bible from Genesis through Revelation portrays Zeal/Passion as a devoted fervor, that honors God, guards His Truth and is manifested through faithfulness in action. Zeal for God can only come from a heart that is aligned with God.
- Genuine zeal remains vital for diligent prayer, passionate Worship, being an admirable and unwavering witness, being totally dedicated to God and a life totally pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ. Having a life grounded in the Word, our zeal becomes a catalyst for personal transformation and for making a meaningful impact upon the world, giving all to the Glory of God.
- As the Title “Passion of the Christ”. The movie covers the final 12 hours before the Death of our Lord and Savior, known as “The Passion”. It begins with the Agony in the Garden of Olives, continues with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, the Scouring at the Pillar, the suffering of Mary as prophesied by Simeon, the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus, and ends with a brief enactment of His Resurrection. So essentially, the suffering that Jesus Christ endured over the final 12 hours before His death is called “Passion”, which in the Latin means to “endure and to suffer”, which bring us to the “The Suffering of the Christ”.
- Is Passion and Compassion the same thing? Explain!! Passion is about fulfillment, while compassion is about sacrificing oneself to others
- What does a person with a Passion for God look like? Explain!!
- They have a longing to be with God,
- They desire to Pray and studying His Word.
- They Witnessing/Bringing People to God!
- And you say……..
- Passion for God is good. However, it must be filtered through compassion for people.
- Jesus endured immeasurable suffering, including the crucifixion. Passionate people of God are willing to endure any kind of suffering, and take any kind of pain, to further the Work of God.
- So, Compassion literally means “to suffer together”. No wonder the word Passion is embedded into the word, “Compassion”. The difference here is that one is ready to suffer with other people, who suffer or are ready to suffer to alleviate the suffering of others.
- In conclusion, His Passion has created the compassion that must dominate our everyday life.
- Where is Your compassion level, today??Amen
