Question:
Since no man can love as Christ loved us, are we to love as much as we can? How can we love?

Answer:
Ephesians 5:1, 2: “Be ye therefore followers of God…and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.” Christ left “us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). We are not told to follow “in” Christ’s steps—we cannot do that—for He is God, but we are told to “follow” His steps. The more we are occupied with Christ’s love, the more we will walk in love ourselves (1 John 4:19). Jesus showed His love for His Father by keeping His commandments (John 15:9-12), and love for the Lord will cause us to keep His commandments as well (John 14:15). We are taught to increase in love “more and more” to all the brethren (1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10).

We do not have God’s love by occupation with our love to others or by trying to love in our own efforts, but His love is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and is shed abroad in the heart of every believer by the Spirit (Romans 5:5). Laying down our lives for the brethren is not just a onetime thing, but an everyday self-sacrificing for others. This self-sacrificing love can only be manifest in our lives by occupation with Christ who laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). There is no greater love than laying down our lives for our friends (John 15:13).