Christian Family Services Ministry

12-18-2020 – Unconditional love is an ungodly term, or concept invented by man to cover evil. Actually it is a humanistic philosophy perpetuated by Satan for the unbeliever to mock the loving God.

Strong terms are they not? How is it possible to even make such a statement? Are we not to be like the Lord? Does he not love unconditionally? Absolutely emphatically not. Every page of scripture rehearses and demands obedience. Those two things always go hand in hand in Scripture. “If you love me you will keep my commandments,” one demands the other and without one there can be no other only love and obedience.

So now we are confronted with a great paradox of scripture. Jesus taught in Luke 6: 27ff we are to love our enemies, He reaffirms this and tells us how in Matthew 18:23ff. You see Jesus says anyone can love those who love in return. However, true love is what is shown to the unlovable person. Not a feeling, rather an attitude of mercy and compassion. Does that not mean to ‘love unconditionally” no it means to show compassion to all men. To see that person as a human created by God and to love the person is to love God. It does not mean give that person everything they want.

But I do not understand, is that not ‘loving unconditionally.” No, does God give you everything you want? No there are conditions. It is not giving us everything we want rather everything the Lord wants for us.

So how does that apply to loving others? It demands that we understand we are loving God in loving the enemy. This type of behavior is actually loving God not self, not others. Moreover, it is an attitude, a behavior, not a feeling. The only one we are to love’ unconditionally’ is when it is directed to the Lord. Even then the Lord does not expect us to love him unconditionally.

Hebrews11:6 “and without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever would draw near to God must believe (two things) that he exist and that he rewards those who seek him.” So even God in reality does not demand unconditional love, instead he requires that we believe and that he rewards.

In loving our enemies, or even the wicked it is not to love their behavior it is to love the Lord. Even God showers the wicked with blessings in order to cause them to see Him.

I can think of nothing more confusing in scripture than love. Not because it is unclear rather because we want to add what God does not expect, or demand what he will not give.