L O V E
As a society, we use the word love loosely for many applications. We say, I love ice cream in the same sentence as I love my mother. Dictionaries list several definitions. One that closely resembles our purpose is this:
4. a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another; (1): the fatherly concern of God for man. (2): brotherly concern for others. a: a person's adoration of God.
The command is this, that we love God and one another:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.John 13:34
John 13:35
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Matthew 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.Matthew 22:38
This is the first and great commandment.Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.Matthew 22:40
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.NASB
I had to learn how to love myself before I knew how to love anyone else. Love means I want improvement. It does not necessarily mean that I like what I am.