Answer: The term used in Matthew 5:44 where Jesus says "...love your enemies..." is the Greek agapao which means to exhibit active goodwill. This term is to be distinguished from feeling affection (Greek phileo). It is possible to desire someone’s good and to put that desire into action by some deed of kindness without feeling affection for someone. Jesus explains that this is the love God manifests (Matthew 5:45): "...he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Paul describes sinners as "enemies" to whom God demonstrates his love (agape) (Romans 5:8, 10). Thus, in giving Christ as our atonement, God was loving his enemies. God is just in his wrath against sinners, but because of his great love, he willed to give Jesus to die in our stead. Regardless of how you and I feel about our enemies, we can seek their good and show kindness to them. In doing so, Jesus says we are behaving like his Father (Matthew 5:45).