I John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”
In our English language, we use the word “love” very loosely, it can mean a variety of things that we must sort out based upon the context in which it is used. However, the Greek language often uses different words to reflect the various meanings of the English word “love”. In this passage, John ties our Christian “love” to our Spiritual Birth (John 3:1-8) and tells us that “every one that” has this blessed “love” “knoweth God”. And, the word “knoweth” also connotes, not just being cognizant of; but, knowing in a loving way. Thus, when Children of God are “born again”, God instantaneously gives them a deep and powerful feeling of sincere “love” for God, for the Children of God, for the Church of Jesus Christ, and for the Holy Word of God. However, the Greek language uses another word that points to the actions that result from this God-given “love”, the Bible Translators sometimes use the English Word “charity” (I Corinthians 13) to mean “love” that is shown by action. Our God places this “love” within us, and then He Commands (John 13:34) us to live it outwardly, always showing love one to another. Showing this “love” by our demeanor and actions is how people know who we are. Our Lord told His Apostles, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35). No one should ever have to ask us if we are a Christian, it should be readily apparent in our demeanor and our actions.