Read Matthew 5:43-48 and then paraphrase in your own words what Jesus said. What's the main point Jesus is telling us about love?
  
   Love asks you to do those things which are difficult to those
   who do not love you. Love is not love when it is only shown
   to those who give it in return, but it is seen by those who will
   not give it in return.
  
   Jesus want's to teach us that this is they quality of love that
   the Father in heaven shows to us. This is the quality of love
   that we are to model if we are going to be perfect as our
   Father in heaven is perfect.
  
Read Proverbs 15:1, 25:21, and 1 Peter 3:9. How do these texts help us understand this important principle regarding love?
  
   The scriptures reveal that a gentle answer turns away wrath.
   Often times when someone answers us in a harsh way then we
   are tempted to respond in the same way. I believe a loving
   response is the gentle answer
  
   Also when we do acts of kindness for our enemies it also
   shows God's love, and it has a convicting power over that
   individual.
  
   Overall the reason why we should show this type of behavior
   is because of the love and patience which was first shown
   to us through Jesus Christ.
  
Loving our enemies? Many folk have a hard time showing love to their friends, much less their enemies. How can we learn to follow Jesus' example here? How can our hearts be changed so that we can love our enemies? How might praying for them play a large role in helping us reach this Christian ideal?
  
   I believe that it is not something which is easy and there
   is no formula but to simply do it. Love is not something
   which is forced but it flows from our relationship with
   Jesus Christ. As our heart overflows with the Love that
   God has shown to us it will spill over even to our enemies.
   Prayer helps to maintain that connection to Christ which
   keeps us filled with His love.

Prayer: Father thank you for showing your love to us. Its not easy to love those who do not love us but fill us to overflowing so that this may be possible. Keep us connected to You. Thank you in Jesus name amen