Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ). Matthew 5:43-48 read as follows: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ). Jesus ( see Matthew 4:17 ), in the above-given passage from the Holy Bible, teaches that love of one's enemies is one way that a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) can be perfect ( see also Exodus 24:7, 8, Psalm 50:5, Psalm 119:65-72, 142, 151, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6, 17:17, Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 15:4, Galatians 3:26, 27, Philippians 3:15, Ephesians 4:5, Colossians 1:28; 2:8, 9, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, Titus 1:1, 2, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ). Therefore, not only is it possible for Christians to be perfect, in this imperfect word in which we live, but Jesus said we must be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
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<Russell E. Willis>
