When people talk about the love of God, and growing in knowledge of God's love, people tend to think that this love is about doing more.
What does the Bible say?
First, let us consider the prayer which Paul prayed to the Spirit-filled Ephesians:
"14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 14-19)
Even though Paul had spent the two previous chapters telling the Ephesians that God the Father seated His Son at His right hand, and that they are seated in Christ, and that all things are under their feet, he did not stop there. He told them to gain a revelation of this great love that God has for us.
That Christ would dwell, or rather be at home in their hearts.
In other words, that the would identify with Him completely.
Turning to First John, we see a growing understanding of God's love is not about what we do, but who we are in Him.
"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4: 9)
Now, this is what love looks like. God sent His Son, that we might live through Him.
Then John defines love:
"10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
John makes it very clear — love is not define by what we do, but what Jesus has done and is doing for us.
God sent His Son:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
Notice also that love is what Jesus is doing. A proper translation of 1 John 4: 10 would read:
"And sent His Son, the propitiation (or mercy seat) of our sins."
Jesus does not stop being our mercy seat, for He is our high priest forever:
"15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.