The Sermon on the Mount (continued)
(Matthew 5:43-48 & Luke 6:27-36)
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. And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way, in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.A. Tax gatherers. Known as publicans these people were not well thought of by the Jews. They were local people who were assigned to collect taxes for Rome. Much of the time they were not fair in the amount of money they collected from the people.
B. Perfect. “Complete” or “fully mature”.
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