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Graciousness
Jesus spread good cheer everywhere he went. He was full of grace and truth. His associates never ceased to wonder at the gracious words that proceeded from his mouth. You can cultivate gracefulness, but graciousness is the aroma of friendliness which emanates from a love-saturated soul.
Goodness is attractive only when it is gracious--and is effective only when it is attractive.
Jesus was always ready and willing to stop or detain a multitude while he ministered to the needs of a single person or to a little child. Most of the really important things that Jesus said or did seemed to happen casually, 'as he passed by.' He dispensed health and happiness naturally and gracefully as he journeyed though life. It was literally true, 'he went about doing good.'
And so it behooves the Master's followers in all ages to learn to minister 'as they pass by' -to do unselfish good as they go about their daily duties.
Loving your neighbor
'When the wise understand the inner impulses of others, they will love them. And when you love your neighbors, you have already forgiven them. This capacity to understand human nature and to forgive apparent wrongdoing is Godlike.'
'Your inability or unwillingness to forgive your neighbor is the measure of your immaturity, your failure to attain adult sympathy, understanding, and love. You hold grudges and nurse vengefulness in direct proportion to your ignorance of the inner nature and true longings of your fellow human beings.'
'Love is the outworking of the divine and inner urge of life. It is founded on understanding, nurtured by unselfish service and perfected in wisdom. Seek not in your daily lives, self-glorification, but seek rather the glory of God.'
'You cannot stand still in the affairs of the eternal kingdom. My father requires all his children to grow in grace and in the knowledge of truth. You who know these truths must yield the increase of the fruits of the spirit and manifest a growing devotion to the unselfish service of your fellows. In faithfulness do what is entrusted to you, and thereby shall you be ready for the reckoning call of death.'
Responsibility
In teaching children to pray "Our Father," an enormous responsibility is placed upon earthly fathers so to live and order their homes so that the word "father" has worthy connotations while becoming enshrined in the minds and hearts of growing children.
'The fruits of the spirit, your sincere and loving service, are the mighty social lever to uplift the races of darkness. And this Spirit of Truth will become your powerful multiplying fulcrum.'
'Remember that you are commissioned to preach this gospel of the kingdom--the supreme desire to do the Father's will coupled with the supreme joy of the faith realization of sonship with God.'
'Humanitarian labors are social by-products that must not replace the proclamation of the gospel.'
'Labor to persuade the minds of others but never dare to compel them.'
'Be gentle in your dealings with erring mortals, patient in intercourse with the ignorant, and forbearing under provocation--but be valiant in defense of righteousness, mighty in the promulgation of truth, and aggressive in preaching the gospel of the kingdom'
'The revelation I have made is a living revelation, and in accordance with the laws of spiritual growth and adaptive development, it shall bear appropriate fruits in each generation.'
'Do not forget that you are commissioned to go forth preaching only the good news. You are not to attack the old ways; you are skillfully to put the leaven of new truth in the midst of the old beliefs. Let the Spirit of Truth do his own work.'
'Remember always to love one another. Do not strive with others, even with unbelievers. Sow mercy, even to those who despitefully abuse you.'
'He who would be great among you, let him become server of all.'
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