Being a disciple is really about being an apprentice of Jesus, as Dallas Willard reminded us.  He trains His apprentices to love their enemies and demonstrate this by doing good to them.  He wants His apprentices to practice righteousness because it is right, for the approval of the Father and not to be seen of people.  He teaches His imitators to treat other people like they want to be treated.  He calls on us to love unconditionally.

 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (NASB)