The Christian who fails to grow in love eventually will lose his place in the Spirit’s unity. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). But what exactly is love? Our relationships in the body are often blessed with deep affection (Philippians 1:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11). But Paul’s love was just as real when shocking matters required sharp rebuke (Galatians 2:11-14). So, love is more than liking, more than sentimental feelings. Biblical love, called agape, begins with prioritizing God and His will.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments (1 John 5:2-3).
Even with the best of motives, to “love” outside of the will of God does harm in the long run. Biblical love operates in a solid framework: It honors “one God and Father,” “one Lord,” and “one Spirit” by holding to “one faith” and “one hope” in “one body” entered through “one baptism.” Within this framework for unity, to grow in love means to grow in Christ-like attitudes and actions.
By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. … Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:16, 18).
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:2-7 cf. 1 Peter 3:8; 5:5).
Have among yourselves the mind of Christ.