"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to go beyond what the rules say. He knows we focus on "what the rule says" and then find loopholes. Religion is about loopholes. GOD is about real love.

Our mission, according to Jesus, is an extraordinary kind of love. Our love is to be like GOD's love. A love that almost can't be understood. A love for even our enemies. His Spirit makes it happen for us.

Do we have a passion for that kind of love? Will we live that out today?

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies." ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:44 The Message)

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it." ~~Jesus

Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!!

OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God's World (Kingdom). He is in charge. We know it. We need to act like it. We need to live like it.

May I live like I know I am living in God's World, where He is fully in charge.

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it." ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:48 The Message)

"Live out your God-created identity." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to the person God wants us to be. It is not about us or our unique personalities. God has given us His identity. Jesus only does what He hears and sees His Father saying and doing.We need to get outside of our "me identity". It isn't about who I am.

He wants the same for us. We have a God created identity. We are a new creation in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. We share that with Him through baptism.

"Live out your God-created identity." ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:48 The Message)