This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
God is love. And God showed His love for us, by sending His begotten Son, into this world. Lord Jesus Christ, being God, left His heavenly abode, came to this wretched world, lived on this earth as an ordinary man, took the punishment on our behalf and He died for us so that we might not have to die, but have eternal life, if we believe in Him. The love of Jesus is sacrificial, self-less, unconditional, never-ending, and unchanging towards us.
When we accept Jesus in our lives, He forgives us, heals us, transforms us, empties us of our love which is selfish and self-centered and fills our hearts with His divine love. He lets His love flow through us, to everyone around us, making us ambassadors of His love.
Yes, as Christians we are called to love like Christ. This is not optional, but a commandment that we need to obey.