“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
On the surface, these are tough words. However, when you truly grasp what Jesus is saying here, it is much tougher in execution. If you look to the Words Jesus is saying as a goal to aim toward, you probably will frustrate yourself with constant failures. However, when you purposely submit yourself to the Person of Jesus, you will discover that, without your realizing, the Spirit has lifted your life into the very Words.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Jesus said it rightly, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
