We cannot truly love others unless we first grow to love God. Genuine love of God and neighbor are attainable only by following the path given to us by God which leads to knowledge of Him and the keeping of His word - the Orthodox spiritual life. The ability to love is itself a part of the gifts that come through the indwelling of God, the Holy Spirit. The social charity taught by worldly humanism is primitive at best compared to the depth of self-sacrificial patience and compassion we can attain if we, loving God and having Him to guide and strengthen us, recognize His image in our brothers. Christian love manifests itself in kind good will and concern for the well being of all, in forgiveness from the heart of wrongs, in patience with each other's weaknesses and shortcomings, in humble and heartfelt sorrow for our own sins, and in being moved to pray with attention and conviction.
Christian love brings with it a profound peace and joy in the heart.
It is the substance of an active, living faith. Empty and without the illumination of Grace inspired faith is the soul of a person who is outwardly righteous, but lacks love, and its primary expression, mercy. A person may be externally pious, and have all of the words of truth in their minds and on their lips, but if they lack a loving, merciful heart, they cannot help but fall into prideful selfrighteousness. They will perniciously judge others, and will gain no benefits from their knowledge and spiritual discipline. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.