"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Colossians 3:12 (The New King James Version says, "as the elect of God")

Believers have been chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world, "Just as He (God) chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself."
Ephesians 1:4-5

As members of God family Ephesians 4:23-24 says, "...be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

We are to,
"...lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit." Ephesians 4:22

Now as God's children we are to take on the characteristics of this heaven family to which we now belong.
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'you shall be holy for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:14-16

Our opening verse tells us, 'to put on a heart of compassion'.
Compassion (mercy) -- to have pity and sympathy as seen in:
Helpfulness:
"In everything I showed you that by working hard in the manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

Burden-bearing:
"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves." Romans 15:1

"Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

Fellow feeling for the unfortunate:
"Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, those who are ill-treated..." Hebrews 13:3

Jude 22-23 has always touched my heart so I place it here as we should have a heart of compassion for those who haven't come into that saving knowledge of Christ, "And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh."

A good example of compassion expressed by man is that of the "Good  Samaritan". Read the whole scenario Luke 10:25-37. I will list only
3 verses:
"But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion," Vs. 33 Of those who saw him, Jesus asks, "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers hands? And he said, 'The one who showed mercy toward him.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go and do the same." Vs. 36-37

Concerning a heart of kindness.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor." Romans 12:10

"And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

A lovely example of kindness by man is found in Acts 28:1-6 where the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked. (Read all the story starting in Chapter 27) Vs. 2 tells us, "And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for because of the rain that has set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all."

Let us seek to manifest the characteristics of our Holy God as we yield to the Holy Spirit to work them into our very being. Because we know that, "...as He is, so also are we in this world." 1 John 4:17

Thank you Lord for Your loving kindness and tender mercies that you
graciously surround and cover us with! We love and worship You!   Amen