Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48
What does it take to be perfect? Jesus makes it clear; here is the list:
- Love your enemies
- Bless them that curse you
- Do good to them that hate you
- Pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you
It may be a small four-part list but I can assure you it is not something you can do on your own. That is why God has given us the Holy Spirit. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. What God requires He always supplies.
