Are you suggesting that since I have chosen to be a Christian (as opposed to a Muslim) I cannot be loving God? :?
Islaam has a different perspective to loving Allaah. This mean's that we love Allaah, but so do some of the christians, jews etc.
What's the difference then?
The difference is that in islaam we love what Allaah love's, and hate what Allaah hates.
If a person love's Allaah, they devote themselves towards Allaah. They submit themselves towards their Creator because they know that it will please Him.
When a person want's someone to love them - what do they do? They work hard to please him/her. They love what that person love's, and they hate what that person hate's, so they can get closer to that person.
The same way, we work hard to love Allaah by preferring what He, the Almighty loves. And we turn away from what He, the Most Wise hates. But why does Allaah hate certain things?
It's because they are harmful for us. Which prove's that it's a two way relationship - Allaah love's us so much that He prohibit's us from getting involved with thing's that may harm us, and we stay away from them just to please Him, the All Knowing, while at the same time - being safe from that evil.
So to really love Allaah (God) - one need's to submit themselve's to him, because they realise that Allaah is legislating/prohibiting it for our own safety, and to give us a chance to be rewarded [due to that submission.]
Allaah Almighty know's best.
Peace.
. But I agree, it has to do with what you define 'fear' as. I fear Allah's wrath and His Punishment. I fear His displeasure even more though, as I really want to attain His Pleasure.