Jesus didn’t pull any punches about how His followers were to conduct themselves. He didn’t give suggestions… He issued commands. Consider the following…
Luke 6:27 I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Love YOUR ENEMIES? Do good to those who HATE YOU? Bless those who CURSE YOU? Pray for those who ABUSE YOU? Give a person a second shot? Give more than is asked from you? Don’t demand anything… ever… in return? Wow..
Then the real kicker… (KJV) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (A.K.A.: The Golden Rule).
Suggestion: Take Luke 6:27-31 and meditate on it for 30 minutes or so during your next quiet time. Pray it to God… “Father, help me to love my enemies. Help me to do good to those who hate me. Help me to bless those who curse. Help me to pray for my abusers. Help me to turn the other cheek. Help me to treat others and do to them the way I want to be treated and done unto me.”
Trust me… the only way we can live that way is when God empowers us! “And His commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3-B).