The Apostle Paul taught the Galatian believers that the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ purchased their liberty from sin, both its penalty and its power. Therefore, they were no longer to be governed by self-love, but use this liberty to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). Paul went on to remind them “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Galatians 5:14). Consequently, he exhorted them “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
Frankly, in life’s daily repertoire of personal encounters, doing good unto others is seldom our first choice. Yet the Scriptures teach us that this was the very pattern of Christ himself. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good…for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). In his Sermon on the Mount, Christ gave some instructive insight to this matter of doing good that provides us with eternal values that are to be lived out in time.
He began by teaching that love goes beyond what is expected. “But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28). It is probably safe to say that few, if any, of us think in these terms when it comes to our enemies. Yet this command comes under the “good” we are called to do. To our surprise, our enemies are included in “all men”.
He went on to say “as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). By saying this he taught that love seeks occasion, it is proactive. As we’ve read, the Lord himself went about doing good and we are to be like him. An outgrowth of this admonition is that love is more than mere reciprocation. Again, he warned “if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same.”
Our expression of love is not self-seeking, but governed by an eternal perspective. “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). We do not do good for earthly gain, but instead we should desire the reward of our heavenly Father. Consequently, in his likeness, we are to show kindness to the unthankful and to the evil. Yet how readily are we offended by the ingratitude of many that we encounter.
Christ’s Sermon on the Mount offered much to consider when it comes to what genuine godly love looks like in its “working clothes”. We take note of his teaching and shrink back from its claims. In ourselves there is no strength to live and walk in such a manner toward our fellow man. But God has given to his children the power to do good in the person of his Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus set the example in this matter for we read that he went about doing good because God had anointed him “with the Holy Ghost and with power”.
As his children “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). If Christ is our Savior, we have his Spirit. We are to walk as he walked and love as he loved.
From the Chaplain 