16. I have talked with angels about this on a number of occasions. They have expressed their astonishment that church people do not know that to love the Lord and to love one's neighbor is to love what is good and true and to do them intentionally. They should realize, though, that we demonstrate our love by intending and doing what someone else wants. This is how we become loved in return - not by "loving the other" and not doing what that other wants; in essence, that is not loving at all. They should also realize that the good that comes from the Lord is the Lord's own likeness because he is within it. We become likenesses of him and are united to him when we make what is good and what is true matters of our lives by doing them intentionally, since intending something is loving to do it. The Lord teaches that this is true when he says, "Those who have my commandments and do them are the ones who love me, and I will love them and make my dwelling with them" (John 14:21, 23); and again, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love" (John 15:10, 12).
