As the author of love, God has defined love to mean selflessness.

1) The author of love is God.

God, in His very nature and being, is love.

The triune nature of God means love is primary.

2) God defines love as selfless.

True love is selfless - putting the needs, wants, and rights of others ahead of our own.

Jesus placed our needs and interests ahead of His own. He loved us selflessly in word and deed.

3) We should demonstrate the selfless love of God.

We ought to selflessly love others as God has loved us, which is contrary to our natural leaning of selfishly loving ourselves.

You may be the only glimpse of God other people get. How much of Him will they see?

We can love this way because we have the Holy Spirit and can find the strength to love this way by occupying ourselves with Jesus.