1st John 4:7-12 REAL LOVE To many people and perhaps most people, love is a feeling - an emotion that is a response to people or things. Even a cat or dog can make people feel good and they often say they love their pet. An obedient child is easier to express love to than a disobedient child. However, because they are a child, parents love them because they give a particular sense of significance. However, love in reality is an action and a choice that work together for the benefit of another. It begins in us by virtue of our new nature. That new nature imparted by God in a child of God, cannot help but choose to act for the blessing of others. That is evidence of the Spirit of truth within, in contrast to the spirit of error. The Spirit of truth focuses our actions and choices on those things that are consistent with the word and will of God. The spirit of error (fraudulent) focuses its choices and actions on those things that please the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life.
Thirty-two times in the verses from 4:7 through 5:3, the word "love" is mentioned. Forty-three times in the whole epistle this word is used in its various forms. It is important for us to understand that God is love, not love is God. If the word "love" is used synonymous with "God," the effect is that all other attributes of God are either lesser or even denied. Some people believe that because God is love, He will overlook sin and take everyone to heaven just as they are. "After all, God is love," is used as an excuse for some to continue doing that which is wrong. True, God is love, but He is also holy, just, righteous, longsuffering, truth, merciful and all other attributes that are part of His infinite being and perfect character.