“But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. LUKE 6:27-28 AMP
This is addressed to people who choose to hear what God says; check out the additional qualification for hearing: paying attention to his words. It has never been enough to hear God speak. I think we get that practically from every angle: social media, print media, pulpit and personal outreach, yet, so much appears missing. You get out of a 'powerful' service, and just outside, those who have attended have taken off the 'spiritual' and taken on the practical and human. Jealously, hatred, bitterness and quarrels take centre stage. God becomes only a Sunday appointment, and a side thought during the week.
God's standards are so high and his demands so unusual that you cannot make it by sheer willpower alone. So many of his commands will shake you up. How does God expect me to love my enemies, who are constantly seeking my downfall? How do I constantly do good to people who have declared hatred for me? How do I bless a person whose response is only curses? Knowing God demands living by a different set of rules, being called daft and stupid sometimes, but it is the price to pay when you dance to a different tune and swear allegiance to a different master from the world's.
Everything God commands is possible. Yes, human strength has its limits, but God alone gives strength to do what the world has termed impossible. It may be difficult, but only a daily dependence on God, his grace, his power and his mercy can help us live in the light of his Word and in obedience to these amazing commands. His time of favour is here.
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