Why did Christ tell us to love our enemies?

Answer

"But 1 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 makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust." Matt. 5: 44, 45.

I. What does Jesus declare Himself to be?
What divine purpose was wrought out in the sufferings of Christ?
How many of these beings did John see around the throne?
Why was this to be?
From whom do all good and perfect gifts come?
Why was the parable of the importunate widow given?
For what purpose did God give His Son to the world?

Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle