Unconditional LoveBy Rudelle Thomas
I study of God's command to love one another.
Everyone wants to have a special someone that they can love, and be loved by in return. However, OUR(human) love is usually based on conditions; I will love them if they love me; If they do nice things for me, I will love them; If they treat me good I will love them; As long as they don't make me mad, I will love them; If they buy me things and take me places, I will love them, just to name a few.
The love that we are "supposed" to have was meant to be UNCONDITIONAL. Jesus' life here on earth was supposed to be an example that would teach us the kind of love we should have toward one another. Most of us either have never learned that lesson, or we conveniently forget that lesson when we want to. I don't see much unconditional love going on in the world today.
The first scripture most of us was introduced to was John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (so- to a great extent or degree. m-w) God wanted us to know that His love for us was so great, that he was willing to sacrifice His only Son, so that we would have the opportunity to have everlasting life. The only condition He placed on this opportunity is that we believe in Him (Jesus).
He didn't say if we treated Him right (because He knew we wouldn't), if we obeyed His commands (because He knew we wouldn't) or any of the things that you would think a person would say if they were giving something so valuable. I don't think He did because He knew that if He put these conditions on this opportunity, then His Son would be dying in vain. He knew we would mistreat His Son, just like we mistreat each other and that we would not follow His commands at all times. So the only condition He put on it was one that He knew we could meet. To believe in Him has nothing to do with anyone else. It's between us and God. As long as it doesn't concern other people just like us, who are mostly governed by our flesh, then we can pretty much do what we're supposed to do. The problem is, 99% of the time, what we have to do concerns another person and it's our flesh that gets in the way of us being able to live successfully by God's Word. It must be killed, and we must kill it. This is symbolic of Jesus (in the flesh) dying on the cross so that we could have eternal life. There is only life (spiritual) in death (flesh).
John 13:1 is another example of unconditional love. "…having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." The very next verse goes on to say, "…the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;" He didn't say "loved all but the one who would betray Him, unto the end"; He didn't say "loved all but the one who would deny Him, unto the end"; He knew the devil was going to get in them and they were going to do these things, yet, He still loved them ALL to the end. UNCONDITIONALLY!
How many of us could do that? It's hard enough to love someone that lies on you, or calls you names, but could you imagine still loving someone who you knew was going to set you up to be killed? Or someone that supposedly loved you so much, acting like they never even knew you? Not once, but three times? We know we are supposed to, but how many of us really do? Even still, how many of us really even try? Matthew 5:44 tells us to "love our enemies." Do we? Can we? God would NEVER ask us to do something that we were not able to do. It is not His will that any should perish. He would not set us up for failure.
Finally, John 13:34 says, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." He ordered us to love each other. Not the way WE want to, He was specific. He said the same way I love you, is the same way you are to love each other. That means, "UNCONDITIONALLY."
Be Blessed!
About the Author
My name is Rudelle Thomas and I currently reside in the Metro Atlanta area. I write Inspirational non-fiction, fiction, poetry and devotionals. Some of my devotionals are featured on shelovesgod.com, ideamarketers.com, and sermoncentral.com. I have poetry published with the International Library of Poetry and am in the process of writing two books, one fiction and one non-fiction. "In The Midst Of It All" is the story of one woman's journey through life's struggles, and how her faith in God gave her the strength to keep fighting. "Able To Stand!" is a book that teaches us that the only way we can "withstand in this evil day" is to equip ourselves with the armor of God. It also teaches what the armor of God is, why we need it, and how to put it on.
My greatest achievement is my online magazine. I am the Editor and Publisher of an online magazine titled, "Divine Eloquence Ezine". Divine Eloquence is devoted to not only spreading the Gospel, but also to promoting your writing and published works. We have recently been presented with a number of Web Excellence awards. I am also the CEO of my own Desktop Publishing company, "Divine Designs 777, Inc. We specialize in Administrative needs, Webdesign, Logo design, Business cards, etc.
It is my desire use the gifts and talents that God has blessed me with to be a blessing to others!
Be Blessed!
