The characteristics of the heart can be seen more quickly than we care to acknowledge. Jesus reveals four characteristics during the early portion of the sermon on the mount. At first glance we might just identify how to avoid the problematic scenarios, but there is more strength to be gained.
Matthew 5:27-48
The first characteristic values friendship over an offense. If we fail to forgive and merely avoid an individual, we secretly water the same see that Jesus says produces murder.
The second characteristic produces self-control that avoid the selfish craving of lust, whether it be the lust of skin or stuff. The desire of our eyes cannot have control over the love of our hearts.
The third characteristic expresses gratitude of the use of God creation with with respect and acknowledgement. The Pharisees would swear by heave, earth or Jerusalem to avoid using God’s name but rather using what He has created instead. They were also known for going back on the their word by expresses that “God Himself had not been involved their oaths were not binding”1
The last characteristic and maybe the strongest one that Jesus expresses that His followers should have is love for their enemies. I don’t want to ignore the tension that comes with this phrasing when one nation can be at war with another nation. It should be noted that every time this statement appears in scripture, it is referring to an incident between two separate individuals who are both Israelites and never two people groups.
The righteous have no need to retaliate to get even but if action is to be take it was to keep responses in balance of the situation. Jesus continues with the same parameters that should also love our enemies in spite of persecution.
God is perfect in showing love as he cause it to rain on the just and the unjust. Therefore allowing food to grow for those who love Him, who will love Him or even those who actively hate Him.
Pray that God will build up His character in us that His glory maybe seen.
Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 31). Victor Books.