Our God is full of compassion.
—Psalm 116:5
When Francis Shaeffer was a college freshman, one of his professors told him, “This is the best philosophy paper I’ve ever read, but it’s the worst spelling. I can’t pass you.”
Shaeffer, who couldn’t spell due to severe dyslexia, replied, “Sir, I could never spell. Could you please just read what I’m saying and not worry about the spelling?” “You know, Mr. Schaeffer,” said the professor, “I think we’ll do that.” Compassion.
Your compassionate God is not out to flunk you for lousy spelling—he’s out to hood you at graduation. John 3:16 is well known: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.” But don’t stop reading until you have claimed verse 17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn [you], but to save [you].”
Compassion colors every thought God has of you.