I don't understand why there is so much confusion. The Father grants repentance to sinners who then turn to Him for forgiveness of their sins which they receive when they put their trust in the Father's plan of forgiveness of sins through His Son, Jesus Christ. It doesn't stop there. The believer is then perfected when he receives the Holy Spirit.
Since Adam and Eve, man's problem has always been his heart. When a believer receives the Holy Spirit of God, he is born again with a perfected heart full of the same love that Jesus shared with the Father. Jesus prayed to the Father that we should share in this same love.
We are not able to keep the letter of the Law so Jesus made it easy for us. By keeping the Spirit of the Law, we are obeying His commandments. Simply put, when we make decisions with love in our hearts, we are obeying the Spirit of the Law.
Also, all those that are sealed with the Holy Spirit, become part of the body of Christ , become sons of God, and are One with the Father and Son. Just as a man and woman become one in matrimony, Christians are the bride of Christ.
Going back to the original post, having agape love is an experience. If you are not sure if you have this love, then you don't have it. If you do have it, you know because you love God with all you mind, heart, and soul, as well as all around you including your enemies. Just like Jesus, your bread is to do the Father's will with love in your heart.