We need to remember that each person is created in the image of God. Each one has been made for a particular purpose. Learning to love means learning to spotlight potential and strengths rather than problems. Love demands we learn to build up, rather than tear down. It means diligently rooting out unloving behavior from our lives.
Love is important.
We also need to realize that the Devil and our sinful nature will quickly get sidetracked. We do not love naturally. We must be on guard for cancers that eat away at love. If love is the sum of Christianity, surely those things which overthrow love are exceedingly unbecoming Christians. An envious Christian, a malicious Christian, a cold and hard-hearted Christian, is the greatest absurdity and contradiction.