The principle Jesus put forward

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them… (Luke 6:32-36)

 Jesus used three examples to show how the love He expected of His disciples was to surpass the average norms of love. With each illustration of love, He starts by asking what is so special about His disciples doing things that anyone, even sinners, would do to show love.
 Jesus makes the point that most people love those who love them—that’s normal and natural behavior. But Jesus was calling His disciples to go further.
 The principle Jesus put forward, however, is to love not only those who love you, but to go so far as to love those who hate you, who steal from you, who curse and mistreat you. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Again, Jesus points out that love which only does good to those who do good in return is no different from the love that most people give. Jesus is calling for love that surpasses the natural love and kindness that people have for one another, that is extraordinary.
 “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
 Jesus ends this segment of His teaching by telling His followers that they should emulate the Father in His mercy. “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” —Peter Amsterdam [1]

 Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love. —Leo Buscaglia

[1] Anchor Surpassing Love