Beyond the mercy and beyond the patience is the method with which our King extends Himself. If you've ever known what it was to give someone mercy, then you can probably also remember the way in which you gave it. Did you give mercy with a snide remark? Did you show patience while expressing how displeased you were with the situation? The extension of mercy is often the truest test of a man's pride.

"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:" II Corinthians 10:1

Speaking of the "meekness" and "gentleness" of Christ, Paul introduces His readers to a key attribute of the Savior. To be meek is to be rather "tame" in one's handling of a situation. Some might go so far as to say that meekness is closely associated with being "mild" in your disposition. Most of us who are given the choice between "mild" or "spicy" on a restaurant menu are usually inclined toward the softer side because we can't quite be sure of just HOW spicy an item may be. Granted, some of you may join me in going after foods that have a "kick," but I've recently discovered that they don't do well for my heart. Presenting a food, a message, or a thought with meekness is to serve something that is less likely to cause harm during digestion (be it spiritual or physical).

Along with being mild comes the underrated quality of gentleness. One of the most cultured greetings in the English language is to address a man as a gentleman. And why not, right? Aren't all men truly gentle? Few characteristics of God are so lost in a presentation of grace than that of gentleness.

The Greek word for gentleness, epieikeia, is found with the translation "clemency" in Acts 24:4. Having all authority to make decisions through an iron clad fist, clemency suggests that the agency with power is calm during the exercise of their mercy. No snide remarks. No cutting statements. No ultimatums. No punch in the face. Gentleness is, quite simply, the calm and patient expression of God's mercy.

"That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:7

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared." Titus 3:4

Over the past ten years, I've had the privilege of meeting a fair number of dispensational believers who clearly stood at the perimeter of their local assemblies. While being welcome to participate in "church," these men and women would often find themselves frustrated by the discovery that God is kind while at the same time, His people are so unkind. Perhaps it could be said that kindness itself rests in the eye of the beholder, but to what end is there a measure? Are we kind because we say that we are kind? Are we gentle because we say that we are gentle? Are we meek because we say that we are meek? Certainly the truest defense of our character must come from those who are recipients of it. And to that end, the Scriptures speak for themselves with regard to the kindness of God:

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil." Luke 6:35

"For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord [endureth] forever. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 117:2

This is the measure of God's kindness. It is great. It is extended to the unthankful. It is given to the evil. And our God does not change by the shifting of time or the passing of ages.

Among the many mercies of God are the lessons found in His method. For He neither presents His mercy in a hurry or expects that man will embrace it without hearing the message through gentleness, meekness, and kindness. Who among us would adore the gift of several million dollars if it were weighed down by iron anchors smashing our feet? Surely we would never be able to use it because we had never really received it. The most profitable method of mercy, therefore, is the one spoken with gentleness, shared in meekness, and given through kindness.