Speaking to His disciples Jesus said, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36). “The word ‘therefore’ implies a conclusion, an inference from what has gone before. Jesus has been describing to His hearers the unfailing mercy and love of God, and He bids them therefore to be perfect.”2 These words were uttered by the Saviour of the world to show us that we should have a spirit of mercy in our dealing with our neighbors.

“To us has been given a service of mercy to perform for our fellow man. In performing this service, we are laboring together with God. We do well, then, to be merciful, even as our Father in heaven is merciful. . . . Mercy is a manifestation of divine love and is shown by those who, identified with God, serve Him by reflecting the light of heaven upon the pathway of their fellow creatures. The condition of many persons calls for the exercise of genuine mercy. Christians, in their dealing with one another, are to be controlled by principles of mercy and love.”3

The Bible describes someone that is gracious as also being upright. It says, “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous” (Psalm 112:4). He is also wise: “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious” (Ecclesiastes10:12). Those who are called to be God’s representatives should be gracious in words and actions.

“Those who will receive the most abundant reward will be those who have mingled with their activity and zeal, gracious, tender pity for the poor, the orphan, the oppressed, and the afflicted. But those who pass by on the other side, who are too busy to give attention to the purchase of the blood of Christ, who are full of doing the great things, will find themselves least and last.”4

The apostle Paul describes long-suffering as being part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). This shows that all Christians who are maintaining a good relationship with God and have the Holy Spirit living in them will manifest these elements, and long-suffering is a part. We find also in the book of James the admonition: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (1:19).

Many that are now claiming to be Christians do not have a sense of what it means to be long-suffering; they are likely to become discouraged with the difficulties of this life or are ready to lose their self-control when reproached or disregarded. But the pen of inspiration says, “Never should we lose control over ourselves. Let us ever keep before us the perfect Pattern. It is a sin to speak impatiently and fretfully or to feel angry - even though we do not speak. We are to walk worthy, giving a right representation of Christ. The speaking of an angry word is like flint striking flint: it at once kindles wrathful feelings. Never be like a chestnut bur.”5

If we want to receive God’s approval, goodness will be seen in our life. For it is written in the book of the Proverbs that “A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord” (12:2). This actually constitutes a sign by which people will know if we are of God, and the apostle says, “He that doeth good is of God” (3 John 11).

In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (6:10). “Yet many live in this world as useless machines, as though they hardly existed. They brighten the path of none, they are a blessing to none. They live only to burden others. So far as their influence on the side of right is concerned, they are mere ciphers; but they tell with weight upon the wrong side. Search the lives of such closely, and scarcely an act of disinterested benevolence can be found. When they die, their memory dies with them. Their names soon perish; for they cannot live, even in the affections of their friends, by means of true goodness and virtuous acts. With such persons, life has been a mistake. They have not been faithful stewards. They have forgotten that their Creator has claims upon them, and that He designs them to be active in doing good and in blessing others with their influence. Selfish interests attract the mind and lead to forgetfulness of God and of the purpose of their Creator.”6

The Word of God says, “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates” (Zechariah 8:16). Christ Himself, speaking to the Pharisees, declared that those who practice lies in their lives have the devil as their father (John 8:44). “When a falsehood is uttered, the heavenly angels turn away in sorrow, grieved that Christ’s heritage should so dishonor Him. One falsehood spoken prepares the way for another. The Lord desires all to adhere strictly to the truth, to be straightforward in every transaction. Never tell a lie, because thus you hurt your own soul, and disgrace yourself in your own eyes.”7

“May the Lord pity those who love and make a lie, for unless they change they will at last find themselves outside the city of God. . . . Let us be on our guard against untruthfulness, which grows upon him who practices it. I say to all, Make truth your girdle. Be true to your faith. Put away all prevarication and exaggeration.”8

“Keeping mercy for thousands” (Exodus 34:7). The NIV translates this as “maintaining love to thousands.” God is a God of love. This love was shown in the death of His son on the cross (John 3:16). So Jesus, when He was about to finish His earthly mission, said to the disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). The same love that God manifested to the world through His Son must be seen in the life of a Christian. The Bible says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7, 8).

“Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. . . . The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within - when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance. . . .

“Connected with Christ, we are connected with our fellow men by the golden links of the chain of love. . . .

“Whatever the difference in religious belief, a call from suffering humanity must be heard and answered. Where bitterness of feeling exists because of difference in religion, much good may be done by personal service. Loving ministry will break down prejudice, and win souls to God.”9

Being beneficent of God’s forgiveness, the Bible requires that we forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32). And Jesus in His conversation with His disciples presented to them the condition under which someone can expect forgiveness from God (Matthew 6:14, 15). When Peter asked Jesus, “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” Not “Until seven times,” He said, “but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21, 22). Even when someone sins against us repeatedly, we should always be ready to forgive.

“He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. It is their part, no doubt, to humble their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults. Nothing can justify an unforgiving spirit.”10

“And that will by no means clear the guilty” (Exodus 34:7). While justice is being replaced by injustice in the world, God says: “It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.” ‘‘It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment” (Proverbs 24:23; 18:5).

Justice implies also the responsibility of the church in dealing with sin (Matthew 18:15-17; Titus 3:10). Sometimes the church exercises too much mercy, making the sinner feel that he or she is safe. “The church does injustice to God when it allows to exist as part of itself elements that are bringing dishonor to His cause. . . . There should be those in the church who in the fear of God will act with justice and righteousness and faithfulness in administering reproof.”11