The bible explains to us that we know God by his attributes, his qualities, for example: his mercy, his word, his love, his beatitude.
The apostle John teach us about God, describing the charity, the agape love: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is charity" 1 John 4:8
When Jesus speaks to us about love, he does it, using the word "agape". The love is a genre, and we love what we desire, there is the love for money ( a form of idolatry), the love for God…
The ancient greek language, designated each form of love by its own name: eros, philia, agape. The love of Charity, the agape love is a gift of the holy spirit.
The apostle John, in 1 John 4:8 uses the word agape or charity, to talk about love, at least in the oldest gospels written in ancient greek.
This spiritual gift is related with the gifts of knowledge in the bible, King Solomon receives the spiritual love asking God for wisdom:
"At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered: So give your servant a heart that knows how to listen, to judge your people, and to discern between good and evil…
So God said to him:... I Will give you a wise and understanding heart", 1 Kings 3:5-12
We need to be reborn from the spirit to receive this form of love, Jesus explain this in different ways:
"Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of John, do you agape me more than these?
Yes, Lord, you know that I philia you", John 21:15-16
Philia is the love of the soul, the love of friendship. Philia describes an intermediate state between good and evil.
In the gospel of John, Nicodemus goes to see Jesus at night:
"Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit." John 3:3-5
The first epistle of the apostle John describes the importance of the love of Charity to know God in 1 John 4:8, the love without passions, the love projected to the whole creation of God.
The way to the love of Charity is the spiritual gift of piety as is explained in the parable of the sower.
For more information visit my profile, follow the link and download for free my ebook.