The moment we were saved, we received a robe of imputed righteousness. But at that point, the only way God could love us objectively, was in our position in the finished work of Christ. This is not an experiential love, where He initiates and we respond. His love was for us, and toward us, but it was subjective. There is no real response on our part until we began to have a hunger and thirst for the Word of God.
Objective love is conditional, just as rewards are conditional.
Therefore, we must first develop capacity to understand how much God loves us. When it is not imparted, then we do not receive the many benefits that are ours in Christ. For perfect love to be perfect, there must also be perfect hatred. Perfect hatred has nothing to do with bitterness, vindictiveness, anger, retaliation, or mental negativity. The truth is that God meant exactly what He said.