I don't believe "worldlings" can know or show true love. Because God is love and love is from God.
Hate is likened to murder, because it is sin. We are to love, love, love!!!! From what I understand you were talking about from Aspen, is that Christians should hate. Not just love. Do you believe that God hates the sin and the sinner? I know that we are to hate the sin. But I don't see anywhere in God's Word to hate the sinner. I see things like in Romans 12:
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “V engeance is M ine , I will repay ,” says the Lord. “B ut if your enemy is hungry , feed him , and if he is thirsty , give him a drink ; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head .” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:16-21 NASB
I like that part "if possible, so far as it is done by you..." Only through God is this possible. Religion alone can't do this. One must be super strong in spirit to love their enemies.
Well, when you say 'true love' you define love as only from the Spirit of God. Which would mean of course that the worldling cannot express that love. But to say the man who does not know God cannot love his family, just isn't so. They are in the image of God and can exercise all the attributes of that image.
'Hate the sin but love the sinner'. I wonder why we don't divide 'love' up like that. When you do those good things that we believe are acts of love, we should love those good things you do, but not love you. That is really not a bad idea when it comes to those who have not the Spirit of God but are doing good things. We can love those things but not the one doing them, as they are not of God. Just thinking outloud here.
Paul tells us we are to love without hypocrisy. (Rom. 12:9) "Let love be without dissimulation...." How does one love without being a hypocrite? Here again, how can love be defined? It can't. It is like defining 'beauty'. It is real though. And the love of God does reside in the believer. (12:9) goes on to say, "...Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." Or, hate that which is evil. This is how God's love can be represented. Hating that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good. This is love without hypocrisy.
(Pro. 6:16-19) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
These things involve a 'person'. The eyes, the tongue, the hands, the heart, the feet, a false witness, he that soweth discord. No attempt here to divide the person from that which is hated. So, hate cannot be a sin. What if you love that which God hates? That would be a sin.
So, yes, we are to love, love, love. But not to the degree that we love the things God hates. And to separate these 7 things listed in (Proverbs) from the person is impossible. Love without hypocrisy. Hate that which is evil. Cleave to that which is good.
(Rom. 12:18) "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Neither Jesus or Paul lived peaceably with all men. But as much as possible they did. Their lives were full of conflict and unrest.
Stranger