On the one hand, it would seem grace is not necessary. The principle, ought implies can, suggest as much. If we are commanded to love our neighbors it seems would should be able to do so without special divine help.
On the other hand, if we could fulfill the command without divine help, then why would we need grace at all? Perhaps our sin condition keeps us from being able to love as we should, and divine grace is necessary to help us do what we are otherwise unable to do. Of course, if this is true, the only people who ever love would be Christians, which seems absurd, on the face of it.
What do you think?
Jesus admits that there are those who are evil who love their own.
“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” (Luke 6:32).
Yet, Jesus also says: “Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one,
that is, God.” (Matthew 19:17).
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:8).
Is this to say that sinning unbelievers know God because they are able to love their own?
No. They don't love with the love of God working through them. There is none good, but God. The only good we can truly do is by the power of God working through us to do good.
Others may come close to imitating love and or good deeds, but if they have not surrendered their life to Jesus Christ, then they are no truly doing good by the power of God working in them. Remember, we put forth the fruits of the Spirit (Which is love, joy, peace, etc.), and we do not just put off our own exclusive fruit. We shine forth the ONE who lives in us. GOD. The glorious Trinity (Who is the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost) (
1 John 5:7).
“In 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).
How can we have an assurance that we know God? If we find that we are keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3).
Note: This would not be the 613 Laws of Moses as a whole or package deal. This would be the commands given to us by Jesus and His followers in the New Covenant (i.e. New Testament). For the Law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
So in conclusion:
The answer to your question would be.... “Yes.” Others may imitate a form of love, but they would not really be loving in the same pure way that God loves when He does loving acts through us when we surrender to Him. Only God is good alone. We can only surrender to God and allow the LORD to change our lives. For only God's actions are pure (unlike men).