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?
Upon what did he rest his hope for forgiveness?
By what should we test, or prove, all doctrine?
After receiving a knowledge of the truth, what must one do in order to be sanctified by it?
How did He encourage His disciples to look for the fulfilment of prophecy?
To whom was this covenant-promise later renewed?
Upon what conditions are we promised needed blessings?

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