But baby steps are still steps.
What I think is the bigger issue is the understanding of what love is and what it entails and how expansive you take it to be.
Job, one of the most famous characters in scripture loved The Lord above all else. Even when his family was killed, his riches gone, his home destroyed and his land taken, he still loved The Lord though he had his "Why has thou forsaken me?" moment he still loved The Lord.
Jesus tells us what the greatest commandment is; Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus seems to be saying here that love is the essence of the gospel and the fulfillment of the law. We are asked to love God as Job did. Through the highs and lows of life our love for Him should never waiver or falter. And in loving our neighbor we should love with the same intensity, with the same dedication and gusto that we love The Lord. After all how can one love The Lord yet despise His children?
Many have said that unconditional love is not a hall pass or get out of jail free card. But isn't it? Isn't forgiveness intrinsically linked to love? Here's an example of Jesus loving a sinner unconditionally:
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:4-11
Jesus forgave her, saved her life and He refused to throw the first stone though by His own admission He was the only one qualified to do so, He didn't even condemn her He simply told her He did not condemn her and to go and sin no more.
I find that kind of love and forgiveness exceedingly rare even among His modern disciples. Why shouldn't we forgive as much as our Savior and best exemplar did? Why are so many of Christ's modern disciples not as loving or forgiving as the one they claim to emulate? Possibly because the love of which Jesus speaks isn't for the faint of heart, it isn't easy much like a marriage or parenting it will be the hardest thing you will ever do but nothing will be more rewarding or enriching than the dividends of the unconditional love of which Jesus speaks.
Jesus made it look easy, and I think it comes easier to some than others which is why many may feel the need to say that God still has standards and house rules that must be followed. Which is true but His love will not be taken away when you disappoint Him anymore than you would withhold your love from your child over them disappointing you.
There's another passage of scripture I'm reminded of:
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:11-14
Jesus laid down His life for us and gave us all the continuing gift of The Atonement which means we may repent and draw nearer to Him. To lay down your life for those you love is the ultimate sacrifice that can be made and He made that sacrifice for each and every one of us so it seems to me that the least we can do is to extend the same love and forgiveness He gave to us to each other, we are all God's children after all.
We are asked by Christ to love our God with all our strength, heart and might and to love our neighbors as ourselves and even to love our enemies. We are asked to meet hate with love rather than fight fire with fire and I believe if our definition of love is as expansive as the love Jesus had for us, then we will prevail in this life and so will those we love.