The kind of love required by the command to love one another earnestly from a pure heart
is impossible for a person trapped within the narrow confinements of a this-world view on reality. He needs to be born again, delivered from his this-worldly womb into the bigger vistas of God-focused reality. Such rebirth requires the intervention of imperishable seed. That seed is God’s Word. Once reborn, this Christian needs to make it his business to act born, that is, to crave for the milk that comes from heaven’s breast through the Word preached.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,