The word for “love” John uses here is the Greek word “agape,” which depicts God’s love given freely and generously, regardless of whether or not it is deserved.

It is easy to love someone who loves you back. But loving those who aren’t lovely isn’t so easy. That’s where the agape love comes in. And God has an unending supply.

God’s agape love was demonstrated on the cross when He sacrificed His Son, Jesus. He showed us what it means to love people sacrificially, unselfishly.

The story is told of a marriage counselor who advised a woman with an inattentive spouse to behave as if she really loved her husband. He told her to praise him for the things he did, to tell him how much he meant to her, to be kind, considerate, and generous whenever possible. Then, when she’d completely convinced him of her love, she could follow through on her plans to file for divorce.

So she did. But the more the wife expressed her love for her husband, the more she started to actually love him and he started to love her back in the same ways. Two months later, divorce was the farthest thing from her mind.

Love others the way Jesus loves you and experience the amazing changes that will take place.