As human beings, we have been taught to love conditionally. It’s hard to admit. We like to think we’re more advanced than that. The truth is we love thru the lens of like-ability. If a person is nice to us and treats us well, we are sure to reciprocate positive feelings toward them. If it’s a not-so- pleasant experience with another person, then it’s hard to conjure up real feelings of like, let less love. Be honest, how many times have you said or thought “I love them but I sure can’t stand them.” Though we may not consciously do it, we may treat that person we do love (but don’t like) in such a way that is just as unkind and unpleasant as they were to us.
What if Father God had those same human emotional traits toward us that we have toward others or even Him? What if God’s Love was conditional? I’m sure there are things I do that offend Father God and His Holiness. How do I know this? Because all of us have sinned and fallen short of His righteousness. But does He stop loving me? No. There are days when I don’t acknowledge God like I should. Does He show me His displeasure by withholding oxygen from my lungs? He hasn’t charged me for air yet. I fall short and make mistakes, and I do it everyday. Yet God shows His great Love toward me and all of us by daily giving us mercy, forgiveness, joy, strength, hope and more.
He goes even further and tells us in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”. He does not condemn me. He does not condemn you. Thank God! God does not love us based on how we treat Him. No matter what we do or don’t do that He doesn’t like, He loves me and you. Unconditionally.
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