The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 NLT
There are many different meanings to the word ‘love’ and not every kind of love is good.
The love that Paul is taking about he is a special love, one that has no selfish or sensual or sensuous motive.
Love that comes from a pure heart is love that is perfect and genuine. It is given for the perfect reason – love itself.
Love that comes from a clear conscience is not given out of guilt or even just to avoid potential guilt. It is not given for gain. It is love that is given because Christ, who removed all guilt, gave it when he died for me to remove my guilt.
Love that comes through genuine faith is there because a real understanding and belief in Jesus knows exactly what love is – his perfect sacrifice on the cross so that I may have eternal life.
Love like that cannot be kept in. It cannot be hidden. It cannot be withheld. Love like that is to be shared with reckless abandon!