Discipleship Considered

Characteristics of a Disciple

In our last blog we began to look at those qualities that should identify a disciple of Christ. We began with 'Love and Compassion'. Next we consider 'Honesty and Integrity'.

Honesty and Integrity

The Bible says that Jesus is the 'Truth' and the Devil is the 'Father of Lies'. This should be enough for us to make every effort to live lives dedicated to honesty and integrity . But while it is important to tell the truth, that is, we must say exactly what we mean and mean what we say; with every word perfectly expressing what is in our mind and bearing the meaning we wish to convey; it is equally as important to live lives that are true. We should not seek to put on an act - to pretend we are different to who we really are. Hypocrisy was condemned by the Saviour in the fiercest terms and we must avoid it at all costs.

Goodness, Kindness and Generosity

God's glory is tied up with His Name and His goodness. When Moses asked to see the glory of the Lord, God first proclaimed what the Rabbis came to call the 'Thirteen Attributes of Mercy'. "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" (Exod. 34.6,7) For those that are interested, the thirteen attributes of mercy rest on the Hebrew text. They are as follows:

1. Adonai - compassion before man sins.

2. Adonai - compassion after man has sinned.

3. El - mighty in compassion to give all creatures according to their need.

4. Rachum - merciful, that mankind may not be distressed.

5. Chanun -gracious if mankind is already in distress.

6. Erech appayim - slow to anger.

7. Rav chesed - plenteous in mercy.

8. Emet - truth.

9. Notzer chesed laalafim - keeping mercy unto thousands.

10. Noseh avon - forgiving iniquity.

11. Noseh peshah - forgiving transgression.

12. Noseh chatah - forgiving sin.

13. Venakeh - and pardoning.

Only after the thirteen attributes of mercy does He mention the attribute of justice, "by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation" (Exod.34.7) In His relationship with humankind, God must exercise righteous judgement, but He delights in showing mercy. In these verses, His magnanimous qualities are emphasised over His judgemental actions. He demonstrated this priority one and for all by sending the Messiah, His own Son, to take the judgement called for by His own righteousness, and to provide mercy for all who would receive it. Jesus demonstrated the goodness of God in all that He did. Not only did He counsel His disciples to do good to both friend and enemy, but He Himself also went about doing good, indeed, He incorporated the word 'good' into one of His titles, "the good Shepherd".

The Hebrew word for the goodness of God is 'chesed'. It covers all His acts of generosity and benevolence and is sometimes translated 'loving kindness'. God's 'chesed' also includes all His acts of mercy, grace and forgiveness (see how often it appears in the thirteen attributes of mercy). It encompasses His longsuffering and patience; and is the template for the attitude and actions of the disciple of Christ who should, in his dealings with others, also demonstrate grace and generosity.

Leadership and Character next time