Well, let me see. It's this way. Matthew 5:46 is the one after 5:45 and before 5:47. Actually, I am on my way to somewhere and don't have a Bible handy, so I am just being silly.
Matthew 5:46 Adam Clarke Commentary: "For if ye love them which love you - He who loves only his friends, does nothing for God's sake. He who loves for the sake of pleasure or interest, pays himself. God has no enemy which he hates but sin; we should have no other". Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible: "What reward have ye? - The word “reward” seems to be used in the sense of “deserving of praise.” If you only love those that love you, you are selfish; it is not genuine love for the “character,” but love for the “benefit,” and you deserve no commendation. The very “publicans” would do the same".
Yeah, I think it's literal and intended to be taken literally but, like a lot of things we're supposed to do as Christians, it's not an easy thing to do. That's why I don't believe in an easy Christianity or, as many do (although they may be right), in the assurance of salvation. Jesus, and others in the early church, spent a lot of time, and expended a lot of effort, in trying to get us to understand how we are supposed to live our lives, that I have a hard time believing that none of that matters, or that one emotional moment is all that it takes. Again, those who believe in the assurance of salvation may be right. I just wouldn't be too sure of it. There is also something to be said for the Catholic idea of confession, although I am not convinced that the priest is the right place to go for that -- since, obviously I am not Catholic. But confessing your sins to someone other than to God alone can provide accountability here on earth, and I don't think that's a bad thing.
You can feel a kind of love for a stranger, I guess its empathy for that person I don't go for this 'forgiveness' lark that is preached, its up to God if he wants to forgive, not me I could never forgive paedophiles and rapists as an example or IS !
https://www.gotquestions.org/love-enemies.html That's why I love gotquestions.org They can put in easy to understand explanation any question I have about Bible Scriptures. Here's their answer to your question @Chrissy Cross.
Thanks for the link @Babs Hunt. I found their explanations very easy to understand. A good explanation takes the confusion out of many of the scriptures. The speech of the times has change so much, that sometimes it can be very difficult to understand their meanings.