Knowing The Word in Matthew 5:43-48

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor [Leviticus 19:18] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies [those outside of and opposed to the people of God] and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. [The undiscriminating love of the Father should be seen in the sons.] For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [The demand is that all disciples are to be perfect. How can we be perfect? Perfection is greater than moral perfection. It points to completeness and wholeness as well.]