He who truly loves God, is devoted to His holy will; and no matter what might befall him, he accepts everything, as from the hand of God, with the firm faith that all this serves to his spiritual benefit. For the soul that is devoted to God, the misfortunes that befall it in this life serve as steps leading it up to perfection.
Venerable John of the Ladder
He who loves God with his whole heart, does not divide his heart between the world and God, between the pleasures of the world and serving God: for a man cannot serve two lords God and Mammon as the Gospel says. But he who loves God from his whole heart, prefers God to everything in the world and out of love for Him leaves wealth and glory and pleasures and all the fascinations of the world and removes even those who are closest to his heart, if only they hinder the salvation of his soul; he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:37).
"The Pearl", a collection of teachings from the Fathers of the Church.
Love for one another makes us immaculate. There is not a single sin, which the power of love, like fire, would not destroy. It is easier for feeble brushwood to withstand a powerful fire than for the nature of sin to withstand the power of love. Let us increase this love in our souls, in order to stand with all the saints, for they, too, all pleased God well by love for their neighbors…"
Saint John Chrysostom
He in whom there is love, does not consider anyone alien to himself, but all are to him his own people; he in whom there is love, does not become irritated, is not proud, does not become inflamed with anger, does not rejoice over injustice, is not mired in falsehood, does not consider anyone as his enemy; he in whom there is love, endures everything, is compassionate, is longsuffering. Therefore, he who has acquired love is blessed. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God (I John 4:16).
Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
All that love does not bind is insignificant, and without love all other ties are not ties. That which self-interest unites, self-interest also destroys; that which violence preserves, is also rent asunder by violence; that which the power of time joins, the power of time also ruins. Only that which love unites is stronger that death, stronger than all mankind.
The Spiritual Flower Bed