Christian Family Services Ministry

6-11-2022 – A Word to the Wise – UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, REALLY?

I believe the first time I heard this expression came when I was working at Terrell State Hospital, on the Substance Abuse unit. I had been working there for about five years and we started getting a lot of drug problems. It was in group therapy sessions and by visit with family that the term unconditional love kept cropping up. It sounded ‘good’ but then I noticed it always had to do with expectations of the patient, or statements by family how they loved unconditionally.

Now I suppose in a humanistic world that this particular ethic might be acceptable. However, in Christianity or even Judaism no such theology exists. In fact, the whole idea is about as dumb as some of the strange character coming in for treatment who insisted on their families loving them unconditionally. One was addicted to blood. No, he was not a vampire, but he would rob blood banks at night to get a fresh supply to drink. That was rather strange to me until one guy was admitted who was addicted to oil dirt! What in the world is oil dirt? The person would sneak under a car and let the oil out on the round and eat it. Yes, please love me unconditionally by providing for my demands.

Well, what has that to do with unconditional love? All three make as much sense. The short 5 chapters of I John destroys this whole humanistic concept. If you love me, you will keep my commandments is a concept from Genesis to Revelation. Love is always connected with obedience so love is never unconditional even for Jesus he had to obey his Father, so must we.

The whole idea that an addict can demand of anyone much less their parent’s proof of love by making demands is totally ridiculous. So, for those who have children or relatives who talk about proof of love by meeting demands, I say just laugh at them.