Living by the Example of Christ

If, then, you want to be with Christ, you must live by the example of Christ, who was so far removed from all evil and wickedness that he did not pay back even his enemies, but rather prayed for them. For I do not want you to count as Christian those souls who do not, with God as their witness, love their neighbors with their whole heart and conscience; I do not even speak of those who hate their brothers or sisters. For Christians are bound, after the example of Christ himself, to love even their enemies. If you want to have fellowship with the saints, cleanse your heart from every thought of malice and sin. Let no one outwit you; let no one deceive you with charming words. The court of heaven will admit no one but the holy and righteous, the simple, the innocent and the pure. Evil has no place in the presence of God. Whoever wants to reign with Christ must be free from all wickedness and deceit. Nothing is so offensive, nothing so hateful to God, as to hate anyone or to wish to harm anyone; and nothing is so pleasing to him as to love everyone. The prophet knew this, and bears witness to it when he teaches, “You who love the Lord, hate evil.” [a]