God’s love is not unconditional. If you believe it is, I suggest you read John 3:16 KJV:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Read it again. Did you catch the first condition to everlasting life?
Belief. One must believe Jesus is the Son of God.
Many today preach that God’s love is unconditional. Let’s take a quick test.
John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What’s the condition?
There are those that claim God’s love is unconditional. Some claim they love their children unconditionally.
I think the closest thing to unconditional love is a pet’s love, so I thought about that. What if I stop giving my cats food and water? I imagine for three or four days they would be extra loving and then eventually their love would stop. What if my cats made my bed their litter box for a week or if they attacked me when I went to sleep. Hopefully that would never happen, but they might become outdoor pets or put up for re-adoption.
God’s love is conditional. Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments. The Bible also tells us God loved Jacob, but Esau have I hated. Do you really think Esau is the only person God ever hated?
Jesus died to show us how to live. We are told, touch not the unclean thing and you shall be sons and daughters of the most high God. The unclean thing is sin. Jesus told others, go forth and sin no more. Heed his words and walk with joy in the conditional love of God.
What is the first condition? John 3:16. We must believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, the Christ, the promised Messiah.
Do you ever empathize with Forrest Gump? I do. He once said, I know what love is. This fictional movie character has a better understanding of love than many preachers.
Unconditional love is a lie and a worthless thing. If someone says God loves you unconditionally or I’ll love you no matter what you do, run the other direction.
John 3:16 is the first condition to God’s love and salvation. It is one of many. Love hopes for reciprocity. It demands respect.
To quote another movie, Moulin Rouge, the greatest thing is to love and be loved in return. In the same way a person’s actions reflect their love for another, our actions can either alienate or endear God.
Jesus did say, If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
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