1 John 4:10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

(v10, NIV)

We are even given another example to tell us what love is. Love is that God loved us and sent his only son for us. Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. This is similar to the last verse, but it begins by saying that love is not that we loved God. When we love God, that isn't really love. Again we are reminded that God is the originator and author or love. We shouldn't pride ourselves in our ability to "love". Instead, God is the author or love who shows us what love is by loving us first. Our love for him pales in comparison to his love for us. His love for us is the real deal. Look to him and his love as the real love and the originator or love. Love comes from God.