The Merciful Man Does Good to His Own Soul

Our God is a God of mercy. Since He is full of mercy Himself, He delights when we exercise the same toward our fellow creatures. The wise man in Proverbs does not speak merely of tenderness toward others; he represents the merciful man as one who is self-interested in the truest sense—alive to his eternal interests, seeking the good of that treasure committed to him: his own soul.

How may you promote this supreme object? First, avoid all manner of sin in thought, word, and deed. Guard your thoughts carefully. Be cautious of the words you utter, lest your tongue become an instrument of evil-speaking, lying, and slandering. Second, make habitual study of the Word of God your practice. The Scriptures testify of Christ and point Him out as the "way, the truth, and the life." Third, attend faithfully to the means of grace. Fourth, endeavor to realize an interest in the merits and atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fifth, place your entire dependence upon Him alone.

A generous disposition is a blessing to its possessor. The merciful man does good to his intellectual faculties—the intellect sees clearly only when surrounded by disinterested affection. Selfishness blinds and cripples the mind. A merciful man does good to his moral sentiments; conscience approves only actions springing from love. Conversely, unmerciful disposition breeds envy, jealousy, malice, remorse, and fear—fiends that torment the soul. Mercy to sufferers and mercy to offenders are infinitely united in Elohim and should be one principle in every good man.