God is the true source of love, and His love is defined as an outgoing concern for mankind, reflecting a willful direction to do what is best for humanity, even when it is not what they desire. This love, characterized by benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity, is evident in His individual dealings with us and in His grand, philanthropic plan to elevate mankind into His Kingdom. Love originates from God, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father, growing in His Spirit. Those who reflect this love show they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, fail to truly know Him. God's love is demonstrated through the world He has provided, where rain falls on the just and unjust alike, and through His patience toward us. The ultimate proof of His love is the sacrifice of His Son, sent into the world while we were still opposed to Him, to reconcile us to God and offer us a path to live by following His example. We perceive His love in this act, as He laid down His life for us, and we are called to lay down our lives for others in the same manner. By loving one another as God loves us, His love is perfected in us, and we grow in applying it toward others, moving toward perfection. This love is not our own but God's love within us, and we are to love our fellow man as the Father and the Son love. Perfect love casts out fear, and as we grow in it, we can stand boldly before Him, reflecting His nature. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love must be active, shown through obedience to His commandments and in our relationships with others. True love for God produces a desire to live His way, and obedience to His Word trains us to become like Him. If this love exists in our hearts, it will be reflected in our way of living, confirming that we belong to Him.