Misconceptions of Christian "love"
A virtue or a vice?
The Bible explains what love is, and what it is not. Love is charity in the King James Bible, but then it has to be explained that charity is not pandering to the poor or soliciting with money for sex, and it's not lust or concupiscence either, and it doesn't have anything to do with urns full of ashes or human remains.
1 Cor. 13:3–7. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
"Charity" as such is not commonly understood in modern English beyond a formal passing of the hat for church donations. A church obviously cannot function without donations, pay the bills etc., but too much formality and impertinence in the requests preclude Christian "love" at times.
1 John 4:7–8. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
And yet the very word "love" today in modern English is used mostly for sinfulness and vice, not what is legally "love," and the Biblical meaning of it is forgotten, or as the Mormons insist, "uninspired."
If there is a tease made out of it, or if so many fig leaves and so much imagination are required, the very word or the mere mention of it is not even considered acceptable or decent anymore.
The absence of love is hate, and those who hate do not know God. Love on the other hand is not something on which to litigate or make facetious claims.
Love requires forgiveness and good will, not a demand of recompense. Those who seek to disarm us or confiscate our weapons or deprive us of our defenses in the midst of our daily wars and struggles and trials have not forgiven us and do not love us.
Matt. 5:44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
The part about loving your enemies — when they are at law or in court — not to be caught in bed with them or found guilty or liable of causing harm to them. Or at war....