it applies to me.. it applies to you.

Matthew 5:43-48

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. 

- that you may be children of your Father in heaven. we are to focus on how he loves unconditionally.. in order to love people that don't love you back, you must love them with God's love. our human nature would have nothing of that. 

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

- we are all equal in His eyes. none of us is better than the other. we should not act like any of us deserves more or better than the other. 

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 

- if you do only what you want to do, stick to your comfort zones, stick to what you know, and never push outside of that, expand yourself, learn and grow and change, you don't allow yourself fullness of life. God wants our lives to be full and for us to spread his unconditional love everywhere. you can't do that living in a bubble and hiding behind other people.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.