v.43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

Neighbor in the fullest sense was anyone in need whom you might come across in your daily living.

Neighbor was then defined as those people we prefer to be around. Anyone else was not our concern.

Our obedience to God’s holiness cannot be met with hatred toward others.

v.44 But I tell you, love your enemies

Philia - Brotherly love/friendship
Storge - The love of family
Eros - Romantic/sexual love
Agape - Godly love. Love connected with action.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

By praying for our enemies we protect our hearts with the love of God against the hatred and anger that can so easily entangle us.

What to pray?
Repentance
Reconciliation
Faithful obedience to following Christ.

v.45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Loving as God loves does not make us children of the Father, but gives evidence that we already are His children.

v.46-48 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

One of our steps in maturing is praying for our enemies. In doing so we put action to the Godly love that fills our lives.