We turn to the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapter 5 — the Sermon on the Mount. These are not mere suggestions; they are instructions from Jesus for how to live a successful, fruitful life. 

Matthew 5:43–48

"43 You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. 45 so that you may be children 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. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Even tax collectors do that. 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Even the pagans do that. 48 So then, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

There is a well-known saying in many cultures: "Don't be too soft, or people will break you. Don't be too hard, or people will step away from you." It reflects a natural human instinct toward balance and self-protection.

This is also how most of us were raised — the general conduct of people is to hate their enemies, and to love only those who love them or do them good. Even the Old Testament reflects this pattern. Jesus references it directly: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'"

But Jesus overturns this instinct entirely:

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (v. 44)

He continues in verses 44–46: we are called not merely to tolerate those who wrong us, but to guide them, advise them, and show them the way of God — through love. Verse 46 asks a piercing question: if you only love those who love you, what reward is there in that? Anyone can do that. It costs nothing and proves nothing.

By verse 48, the standard is set high: think of someone who has wronged you. You should not hold hatred for them in your heart. You should not desire their failure, sickness, death, or loss. Holding onto that kind of resentment is incompatible with being called a child of God.

Being "born again" does not automatically guarantee that you maintain your sonship. Consider a doctor: earning a medical license is one thing, but if that doctor begins harming patients, the license is revoked. It's the same in the spiritual life — if hatred, cursing, bad character, or a lack of self-control take root in us, our salvation itself comes into question. To remain children of God, we cannot harbor hatred — not even toward our enemies.

James 2:14–18, 26

"14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is that? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

Faith without works carries no weight — it isn't fruitful. We've received faith so that it would bear fruit in every area of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Love is central to that fruitfulness.

James chapter 2, verses 14–18 makes this plain: if someone professes faith but has no works to show for it, that faith will not save them. A Christian who is not fruitful in character — including in loving their enemies — has reason to examine themselves.

As brothers and sisters, our faith must be paired with action: humility, love for our enemies, and blessing those who curse us. Faith without love is not fruitful.

James 2:26

"Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

If you have faith in Christ, it should show through the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Without these, faith is dead.

1 Peter 4:14

"14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."

Be ready for persecution — don't despise it, for it brings glory to God upon you. Think of someone who has wronged you, and forgive them from the bottom of your heart. Don't wish ill upon them. Pray that God removes any grudge you carry, and that He enables you to truly forgive.​

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