Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
-1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
-1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
-Matthew 5:43 - 48 (NIV)
Matthew chapter five is one of the most significant speeches of our Lord Jesus. If you learn nothing at all about how to live a good Christian life other than what is written in this chapter you will be exceedingly successful by striving to live by these words. In verse 48 Jesus implores us to "be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect." How can we be perfect as God is?
I believe that is spelled out in the whole of chapter five with the overall theme of God's love. I believe if we strive to love as God loves then we will be perfected through that act. I have known so many people working to be "good Christians" by improving themselves yet all the time dispising their neighbors. That is a hopeless state to be in for you can never make yourself good enough and dispising your neighbor is like having a "log in your eye". You cannot see clearly.
The only path that leads to true Christianity is a path of love.
In the book of Mark verses 28 - 31, a teacher of the law asks Jesus which of all the commandments is the most important. Jesus replies as follows: "The most important one is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." When the man replied with hearty agreement Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
My prayer: Dear Lord, my heart is yours! Help me this day to love as you love, not only when I am pleased with others but even when they treat me spitefully. Teach me to forgive as you forgive and help me to be gracious to all those I encounter. Let it be! Amen!
