This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. – 1 John 3:16
God is love. It is who He is and He wants us to share in that. He created us to love and be loved. But sin has contaminated us, and the devil is determined to sweep our love away.
Jesus said that we are to love God and love our neighbor. In fact, He said that all of the law was contained in those two things. Every one of God’s commands are in some way teaching us how to love. If you love you don’t steal, if you love you don’t murder, and so forth. Jesus came and demonstrated that with His life.
Yet Jesus went even farther. He willingly gave His life in order to save us. He wanted us to fully understand the depth and commitment of love. He saw each of us as more important than His own life!
When we believe in Him, we experience the complete forgiveness that this love brings to us. Jesus gave us the greatest possible example so that we can know what love is. He also renews our hearts, and makes us capable to love again.
Where we once had lost our intimate connection to God and to each other, we now regain this beautiful passion. We are redeemed and made brand new. Our ability to love God is restored, as well as our love for one another. We consider others as more important than even our own life. We can once again fully love God, and love people.