Love for God cannot exist in isolation from love for other believers. First John 4:19-21 reveals that our love for God is always a response to His love for us first. John provides a clear test for authentic faith: if we claim to love God while consistently withholding love from fellow Christians, we are deceiving ourselves. The word hate here includes ongoing resentment, cold dismissal, and refusal to seek reconciliation. Our visible relationships serve as a mirror, reflecting the reality of our relationship with God. Love is not just a feeling but a command requiring willful, sacrificial action for another's good.