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.

To whom is our worship justly due?
How was Christ to be received by His own people?
What is the character of God, and how only can He be truly worshipped?
What effect did Christ's answers have upon the people?
To whom is salvation promised at Christ's appearing?
What will He say to those on the left?
What is God's attitude toward the poor?

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