Matthew 5:43-48 ~ The Amplified Bible
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Human nature doesn't always reflect the love of God does it? The whole “love your enemies” directive goes against our grain. We have to do a double take at that scripture to make sure we are reading it right. At least I do. We can't muster enough goodness to feel like doing that. Only by the grace of Christ can we feel love towards one who has hurt or misused us. If you are trying to do that on your own, you can forget it. It will never happen. However when we lean on Him, He always causes us to triumph in Christ, even in the most difficult situations.