Being fair to others is one of the clearest commands we find throughout Scripture, because justice and mercy are pleasing before the eyes of God. The Lord delights in those who practice righteousness with their neighbors, not only in words, but in actions. To live justly is to reflect the character of God, who is holy, righteous, and good in all His ways.
The Bible consistently teaches that our relationship with God is closely connected to the way we treat others. It is impossible to claim love for God while acting unjustly toward our neighbor. Justice is not optional for the believer; it is a visible expression of genuine faith. When we act fairly, we show that God’s truth is alive and active in our hearts.
I say this because many people desire others to be fair and kind to them, yet when the opportunity arises to act justly toward others, their motives change. Some do good works only to be seen, to gain recognition, or to seek praise. Others act in a truly good way, not for personal benefit, but because it is right before God. The difference lies in the heart.
True justice is not motivated by applause or reputation, but by obedience. When we remember how God has treated us—with patience, forgiveness, and grace—we are compelled to extend the same treatment to those around us. If God has shown mercy to us in our failures, why should we withhold mercy from our neighbor?
The mercies of God are endless toward those who also know how to show mercy to others. This does not mean that we earn God’s mercy by our actions, but that a merciful heart is evidence of having truly experienced His grace. A person who has been forgiven much learns to forgive; one who has received mercy learns to give it.
We must never forget that God is in heaven, sovereign and all-seeing. He watches us day after day. He sees where we walk, how we act, what we say, and even the intentions of our hearts. No injustice goes unnoticed before Him, and no act of kindness is forgotten. This awareness should lead us to live carefully and faithfully.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:36
This command from Jesus is both simple and challenging. He does not ask us to be merciful occasionally, but to make mercy a defining characteristic of our lives. We are called to imitate our heavenly Father, whose mercy is constant, patient, and undeserved. God does not show mercy selectively; He pours it out generously.
Jesus spoke these words in the context of loving enemies, forgiving offenses, and acting with compassion even toward those who may not deserve it. This kind of mercy goes beyond human logic. It requires a transformed heart, one that reflects the grace of God rather than natural selfishness.
This is what the Lord commands us to do: just as He acts with us, we must act with others. We cannot expect to receive the best from God while giving our neighbor the worst. Faith that does not produce mercy is incomplete and inconsistent with the gospel.
The Christian life is not measured only by prayer, worship, or knowledge of Scripture, but also by how we treat people in everyday situations. Kindness, fairness, and compassion are practical expressions of a life surrendered to God. When we act mercifully, we honor God and reflect His love to the world.
These words are not spoken by a mere teacher or philosopher. They come from God Himself—the sovereign Lord, the owner of all mercy. He is the One who shows kindness to the undeserving, who forgives sins, and who sustains life. When He commands us to be merciful, He does so from His own perfect example.
God’s mercy is not weak or permissive; it is powerful and transformative. It leads people to repentance, restoration, and new life. When believers practice mercy, they participate in God’s redemptive work, becoming instruments of grace in a broken world.
Ask yourself this: do you think that if you refuse to do good to those who need it, you will still receive the good of God? Scripture is clear that such an attitude is inconsistent with true faith. If we ignore the needs of others, we demonstrate that we have not fully understood or embraced the mercy God has given us.
God has entrusted us with blessings, resources, and opportunities—not to hoard them, but to use them for the good of others. When we fail to do so, we fall short of the purpose for which God has blessed us. Mercy is not only about giving money; it is about time, forgiveness, understanding, and compassion.
If God is holy, righteous, and far above us, yet He still stoops down to show us mercy, then who are we to refuse to do the same? Pride has no place in the life of a believer. Humility leads us to recognize that everything we have comes from God.
Practicing mercy also guards our hearts. It frees us from bitterness, resentment, and hardness. When we choose mercy, we choose to trust God with justice. We acknowledge that He is the ultimate judge and that He will repay every wrong in His time.
If we desire to receive the best of God, then we must be willing to reflect His character in our daily lives. Doing good to others is not a burden; it is a privilege. Through mercy, we become living testimonies of God’s grace.
Let us therefore commit ourselves to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. May our lives be marked by fairness, kindness, and compassion, so that others may see the goodness of God through us.
In a world filled with injustice and selfishness, believers are called to shine as examples of mercy. When we help others, forgive freely, and act with fairness, we honor God and experience the joy that comes from obedience. May the Lord give us hearts like His—full of mercy, grace, and love for all.