Matthew 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor" and hate your enemy. But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons 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. 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.
["Perfect" is "teleios" in the Greek, it means Complete, as in labor or growth, mental and moral character, etc. When paired with "the" it refers to full age, maturity, perfection.]
So to be fully mature, complete in the moral and spiritual growth God intends for us, to be "the man," is to give the same care to anyone who needs help; whether they are our brothers, our friends, or even our enemies. We are never to rejoice in the troubles of others, even of those who hate us. We are to do what we can to help them in their distress.
But this does not mean that we should invite violent, hate-filled enemies into our home, our Nation. We also love our families and compatriots, and want to protect them from danger. God sends His sun and rain on both those who love Him and those who hate Him, but He doesn't invite enemies into His Heavenly home, He cares for them where they are. And if, by our care for them, they can see Christ in us and turn to Him from their darkness, then God gets the glory and we all share the benefits.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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