To the same measure we love our enemies is the same measure we value Christ’s love.
Love is proven not by how we treat our friends, but how we treat those who oppose us.
God loves those who deserve to be judged and condemned. In His eyes, we all deserve to be judged and condemned.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
If we personally reject God’s unmerited love, it will be evident by our contentment to find fault in those whom we don’t like.
Whoever would rather forfeit eternal life than give up being self-righteous foolishly trusts in themselves and privily despises others. Only the humble will say, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”