Divinely imparted love is the only irrefutable evidence of one's genuine faith in Christ. It is not an optional virtue but the distinguishing mark of the true believer. We all need to examine our lives under the light of 1 John 4:7-12 ...
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
You may have a heartfelt affection for your family, compassion for those who suffer, and benevolence toward the poor and needy ... yet still not have the love to which John is referring. If you don't possess a deep-seated, divinely-inspired love for God, for His Son, and for this lost and dying world; you are not a Christian.
Vine - John is not speaking of natural human "love" but of divine love, a selfless love, a love that seeks the best for the recipient, and a quality of life that believers can demonstrate only when they are filled with, controlled by and walking in the Holy Spirit. He alone can produce this supernatural love in our hearts.
Though we falter on this side of eternity, love should still be present and growing. In contrast, those whose lives are not characterized by love for others are not Christians, no matter what they claim.
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