The Love of God (that is, that which the BIBLE calls Love) is a LOVE that is ALWAYS manifested IN ACTION.
It is ALWAYS dynamic, ALWAYS giving, ALWAYS self-sacrificing, ALWAYS other-oriented (see I Corinthians 13:1-8; I John 3:16-18; 4:7-19).
“God so loved the world THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON.” “Hereby perceive we the love of God; because HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.”
In this contemporary North American culture, we prefer a love that is in word and in tongue, it seems. We may speak it A LOT. We may begin and end every conversation with the “L” word. We may give and receive many a hug. We may get all mushy or giddy with euphoric emotion.
But if we will not actually extend ourselves in real, genuine work clothes and shoe leather ACTION when that brother is in need . . . If we prefer to pleasure ourselves, and will deny him the need of his heart when we’re in a position to reach out and meet that need . . . If we can be callous or cavalier about causing him pain in the process of elevating ourselves or achieving our own ends . . . Then sorry, it ain't "the real deal;" our words ring hollow, And we simply are not on God’s wavelength when He says, “A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that ye also love one another.”
Paul insists, "Let love be without dissimulation" (phoniness; pretence; hypocrisy).
As my Dad used to say, "Don't take any wooden nickels!"
Allow me to add, "And let's not be GIVIN' OUT ANY, either!"