His Love

We love because he first loved us. Your love, your affection for other people will only extend insofar as you perceive the love of God in Christ in your life. If you think that God has been sparing in his love toward you, then you will be sparing in your love toward others. If you think that you deserved His love, then your love for others will be conditional on their deserving it. If you feel that His love for you is based on your actions, then you will base your love for others on their actions. But if you know deeply that because of Jesus you're loved richly, unconditionally, generously, warmly, affectionately:—you will grow in that love toward others.

—Rev. Mark Fodale, The Gospel to the Philippians: The Affection of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1.1-11, 7/29/2012.