I watched a video clip of Pastor W. F. Kumuyi recently. He took a swipe at believers who at the slightest chance berate and curse people whom they supposed offended them. He stressed that neither Jesus nor Paul vented their anger on those who wronged them. Jesus prayed to the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. Paul raised no dust against those who beat and imprisoned him. This is authentic Christianity as it was handed down. Railing and fighting are alien to the faith of Jesus. Many other believers direct their anger to imaginary enemies. Even in the face of real enemies, Jesus taught us to respond differently. We should not repay railing for railing; rather we are to love our enemies and do good to those who treat us unjustly.

…the Christian life cannot be lived by the will of man but by the help of God. Relying on the grace of God is the key to walking in faith and pleasing God.

Apart from loving our enemies, our text also underscores the virtue of altruism. We are encouraged to do good deeds for people without hoping to get anything in return – at least not from the same beneficiaries of our deeds. Our goal should always be doing the greatest good to the greatest number of people wherever we are found. The two things stressed in this meditation show the uniqueness of Christianity. It is only in this faith that we are commanded to love our sworn enemies and do good with no strings attached. Therefore, the Christian life cannot be lived by the will of man but by the help of God. Relying on the grace of God is the key to walking in faith and pleasing God.