Grace as Divine Compassion
Read Zechariah 12:10 “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication.”
When Zechariah shares God’s promise—”I will pour out”—we’re reminded that grace isn’t earned. It flows straight from God’s heart, unmeasured and overwhelming. That Hebrew phrase “pour out” paints a vivid picture—God opening the floodgates of heaven. Grace doesn’t trickle; it floods. We can’t earn it or control it. It simply pours.
Free grace was never meant to stay stagnant. In Luke 10, the Good Samaritan “felt compassion” for the man beaten by the roadside. That Greek word describes the deepest kind of love—the kind that moves you from the inside out. It’s the same word used for Jesus’ own compassion. When we truly experience God’s free grace, we’re moved to share it with others. It’s how we love our neighbors the way Jesus taught us.
I see this beautiful truth played out in our church family all the time. In hospital rooms where you’ve held each other’s hands, in our recovery and support groups where you’ve shared your struggles, and in moments when crisis hits—you’ve shown up for one another. God’s Spirit creates both the grace to keep going and the heart to serve others. The free grace that saves us transforms us into people who freely give grace away.
When we look at Jesus—pierced for us—we see that God’s grace cost Him everything, yet it comes to us completely free. Paul understood this when he heard God say, “My grace is sufficent for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God’s free grace flows strongest when we’re honest about how much we need it.
In our shared church life, we have the privilege of being both receivers and givers of this free grace. Like the Good Samaritan, we feel compassion and act on it—not to earn God’s love, but because we already possess it. Whether in our community, during crisis care, or in everyday friendships, we demonstrate God’s compassion through ordinary people transformed by extraordinary grace.
This week, may you experience both receiving and giving free grace, knowing that Jesus paid the full cost so grace could be truly free for you.
Free grace was never meant to stay stagnant. In Luke 10, the Good Samaritan “felt compassion” for the man beaten by the roadside. That Greek word describes the deepest kind of love—the kind that moves you from the inside out. It’s the same word used for Jesus’ own compassion. When we truly experience God’s free grace, we’re moved to share it with others. It’s how we love our neighbors the way Jesus taught us.
I see this beautiful truth played out in our church family all the time. In hospital rooms where you’ve held each other’s hands, in our recovery and support groups where you’ve shared your struggles, and in moments when crisis hits—you’ve shown up for one another. God’s Spirit creates both the grace to keep going and the heart to serve others. The free grace that saves us transforms us into people who freely give grace away.
When we look at Jesus—pierced for us—we see that God’s grace cost Him everything, yet it comes to us completely free. Paul understood this when he heard God say, “My grace is sufficent for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God’s free grace flows strongest when we’re honest about how much we need it.
In our shared church life, we have the privilege of being both receivers and givers of this free grace. Like the Good Samaritan, we feel compassion and act on it—not to earn God’s love, but because we already possess it. Whether in our community, during crisis care, or in everyday friendships, we demonstrate God’s compassion through ordinary people transformed by extraordinary grace.
This week, may you experience both receiving and giving free grace, knowing that Jesus paid the full cost so grace could be truly free for you.
Reflection Questions:
- How does viewing God’s grace as an overflowing flood (not measured drops) reshape your understanding of what you’ve received? Where might you still be trying to earn His favor?
- Think of a recent opportunity you had to show compassion. How could a deeper grasp of God’s grace change how you respond to others in need?
- Where have you seen or experienced grace in your community? How can you more actively receive and extend that kind of grace to others?
Posted in Free- by the Grace of God
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