When Our Standards Exceed….

When our standards exceed the standards of the world, people take notice. Love is a matter of will, not emotion. True love can only come from God. When we extend love and grace to people who despise us, who ridicule us, or even who persecute is, we show the world that our standards are different; they exceed their standards. The haters may see for the first time, a glimpse of God’s love. It may allow them the opportunity to have hope, to see value in themselves. When we extend love to our enemies, it gives the world a clearer picture of what God is like. And even more important, it shows them we are like our Father. And our family has hope, peace, and purpose.

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48