This is God’s kind of love in us for others, especially for believers.

John 3:16;

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8;

 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Demonstrate that God’s love is sacrificial. Since this is true, godly love-Christian love is also sacrificial. The Holy Spirit produces it in a believer who is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23;

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 5:5;

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Christian love is not dependent on the person who is loved. It depends on the source. Godly love pleases God.

2 John 1:5-6;

⁵ And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.⁶ And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

The basic idea in godly love is sacrifice for others-thinking of others first and doing for them that which is needed. Furthermore, it includes responsibility, which is being accountable to God, to doctrinal principles, and to one’s level of spiritual growth; protection of others by way of verbal protection (what we say), mental protection (our thoughts), and physical protection; self-control which relates to sacrifice, responsibility and protection and thankfulness.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7;

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Personifies love by saying that it is and does, and what it is not and does not do. Godly love contrasts with friendship love which is for certain people.