What is the difference between God's view of love and a worldly view of love?

from the old testament

• God is the source and definition of true love. His love is rooted in His faithful character and covenant promises, not in people's worthiness or performance (Deuteronomy 7:7–9; Lamentations 3:22–23).
• God's love is steadfast, faithful, and enduring. He continually shows covenant love (hesed) to His people despite their repeated unfaithfulness (Exodus 34:6–7; Psalm 136; Hosea 1–3).
• Loving God is the greatest priority. God's people are commanded to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength, expressing that love through worship and obedience (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12–13).
• Love for God naturally overflows into love for others. Israel was commanded to love their neighbors, foreigners, widows, orphans, and the poor because God loves and cares for them (Leviticus 19:18, 33–34; Deuteronomy 10:18–19).
  
• God's love is always joined with holiness and truth. He lovingly calls His people away from sin and toward repentance rather than affirming sinful desires (Isaiah 1:16–20; Hosea 14:1–4).
• God's discipline is an expression of His love, intended to restore His people rather than destroy them (Proverbs 3:11–12).
  
• Proverbs distinguishes genuine love from selfish desire, lust, greed, and foolishness. Biblical love seeks another person's good rather than personal gratification (Proverbs 5:15–23; 6:23–35; 10:12).
  
• The Song of Solomon presents romantic love as God's good gift within the covenant of marriage, characterized by faithfulness, commitment, delight, and exclusivity (Song of Solomon 2:16; 8:6–7).

from the new testament

• God's love is most fully revealed through Jesus Christ. God demonstrated His love by sending His Son to save sinners while they were still His enemies (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9–10).
  
• Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God completely and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40).
  
• Jesus set the standard of love by commanding believers to love one another as He loves us (John 13:34–35; John 15:12–13).
  
• Biblical love seeks another person's eternal good. Jesus welcomed sinners with compassion while also calling them to repentance and new life (Luke 19:1–10; John 8:1–11).
• Love is defined by God's character rather than emotions. It is patient, kind, humble, truthful, forgiving, selfless, and enduring (1 Corinthians 13:4–8).
  
• Biblical love cannot be separated from truth. It rejoices in what is true and good rather than affirming sin or wrongdoing (1 Corinthians 13:6; Ephesians 4:15).
• Christians are warned not to love the sinful values of the world. The world's version of love often prioritizes self-fulfillment and temporary pleasure, while God's love calls believers to self-denial and wholehearted devotion to Christ (Luke 9:23; 1 John 2:15–17).
  
• We are naturally bent to love ourselves; apart from God, we cannot truly understand love. Unbelievers can love as a means of common grace, because all of us are made in God's image, though sin mars it. But the Holy Spirit produces genuine love in believers, enabling them to forgive, serve, bear one another's burdens, love their enemies, and care for others as Christ has loved them (Galatians 5:22–23; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 5:43–48).
  
• Jesus taught that loving Him is demonstrated through obedience. Genuine love for God is shown by trusting Him and keeping His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 5:2–3).

implications for today

Imagine two friends walking through life together. One friend says, "Love means you should always do what makes you happy. If someone no longer meets your needs or makes you feel good, it's okay to move on." The other friend says, "Love means staying when it's hard, telling the truth even when it's uncomfortable, forgiving when you've been hurt, and choosing another person's good even when it costs you." Those two voices represent two very different definitions of love.

The world often defines love by feelings, attraction, personal fulfillment, and self-expression. If the feelings fade, the world assumes the love has ended. But God's love is completely different. He loved us when we had nothing to offer Him. He remained faithful when we were unfaithful. He told us the truth even when it exposed our sin because He loved us too much to leave us where we were. God's love isn't based on what He gets from us but on who He is.

This truth changes how we, as believers, understand love and thereby love God and others. It means we desire what is good for others. It means forgiving even when it's hard. It means serving without recognition. It means speaking the truth with gentleness instead of simply affirming whatever someone wants to hear. Biblical love isn't always easy, but it is always aimed at another person's ultimate good.

Too often, we settle for loving lesser things above God. Too often, we love when it's convenient or easy or when it benefits us. But this is not the kind of love we are to have. May we seek to love Him above all else. May we seek to love what He loves. May we seek to love others the way He has loved us. His love was sacrificial, faithful, truthful, and full of grace. As His Spirit works in us, He enables us to love in the same way—a love that doesn't simply follow feelings but reflects the very heart of God.