We love because He first loved us is 'us' in general. God loved His creation. However, God does not know you personally if you do not love Him by obeying Him.
1 Corinthians 8:3 But whoever loves God is known by God
Glad that you see we do not love Him until we obey Him.
The Bible says that God loves those who love Him.
John 14:21 The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him."
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
We are given the "gift of the Holy Spirit" at the moment of faith, trust, repentence, contriteness, humility. ( Acts 2:38 )
When this happen a person experiences His love. ( Galatians 5:22 , Romans 5:5 )
A repentant person then chooses to sow to and please the Holy Spirit and not the flesh if that person desires to continue in the love relationship that began at conversion unto eternal life. ( Galatians 6:8 )
Many seeds do not grow into maturity and are chocked off by the concerns of the world.
God loves us all. ( John 3:16 )
It is only with a humble repentant person that can share in Him, His love, His presence. ( 1 John 4:7 )