Do you think of yourself as good and loving? Have you considered Jesus’ standard of love? Jesus said that loving those who love you is not good enough; even sinners do that. What really counts for something is when you love those who hate and hurt you.
Jesus established God’s kingdom here on earth. It is unlike the kingdoms and nations of this world. The nations of this world are focused on protecting what their citizens have here on earth. In contrast, God’s kingdom is only open to those who are willing to give up hatred, even towards their enemies, and do good to all people, even if it costs them their possessions, their friends, their family or their lives.
Unfortunately many people teach that you can fight, harm and kill your enemies and still be a part of God’s kingdom. That is a lie. Whoever is not ready to obey Jesus’ commands in the hardest of situations is not ready to be a part of God’s kingdom. Jesus said, “The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and many go that way. The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and few find that way.” Jesus took the narrow way and he said, “If anyone wants to come where I’m going, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
To find out more about what Jesus said and how to become a part of his kingdom, read the four books his early disciples wrote about him: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.