Jesus did not die just to give us peace and a purpose in life; he died to save us from the wrath of God.

So often we try to develop Christian character and conduct without taking the time to develop God-centered devotion. We try to please God without taking the time to walk with Him and develop a relationship with Him. This is impossible to do.

The opposite of retaliation is to entrust ourselves to God, who judges justly.

... self-control is not control by oneself through one's own willpower but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Justified" is even better than "just as if I'd never sinned." It is also "just as if I'd always obeyed.

Obeying the revealed will of God and trusting Him for the results.

Peace should be a hallmark of the godly person, first because it is a Godlike trait: God is called the God of peace several times in the New Testament. He took the initiative to establish peace with rebellious men, and He is the author of both personal peace as well as peace among men. Peace should be part of our character also because God has promised us His peace, because He has commanded us to let peace rule in our lives and relationships, and because peace is a fruit of the Spirit and therefore an evidence of His working in our lives.