Hate or Love (A Burning Question)

How is it that our Lord says to love those who hate us? In fact,we read in Matthew 5, verse 44, the following: 

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

 It would seem the message is clear, we, as true believers (I am speaking to those who have the seal of regeneration of their Spirit, by the acceptance of the atoning work of Christ Jesus) must display the love of Christ within our Life or we live in vain and make a mockery of our precious Lord's sacrifice to a lost generation. It is to our shame when we display hate for hate, and a joyful snare set by the enemy to confuse and seal the fate of those who are spiritually lost in this world. Divisive circumstances will come when we take a stand for Christ, of this we have no doubt, but our life must always be lived and given in the heart of compassion and love for our fellow man (and woman), take courage in righteousness and in the joy of the life we now have (a glorious fellowship with the Father of all life). I will leave you with this passage from 1 John 4,verse7 :
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
They shall know we are His disciples by how we love each other, not an acceptance of sin or tolerance of wickedness in our midst, but grace and love to the lost, revealing a clear way to the Father, exposing the darkness with the pure light of love. We will not accomplish anything but deeper hatred by burning books of worldly religion. I would that you rather exposed the differences through loving clarity. We must not allow fear to rule our members and react in ways that are not wise or prudent.