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Conditional and Unconditional
Conditional and Unconditional
In a recent sermon, Adam said God’s saving love is unconditional, but in the same breath he said God’s love is conditional and that He doesn’t have the same level of love for everyone. I thought, “That’s just not right! God’s love is unconditional and He loves everyone the same, period!” Adam was patient and appreciated my desire to study it with him — and it turns out he was right! According to Scripture, God’s love is both conditional and unconditional, depending on context. First, the easy part — God’s unconditional love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). The cross perfectly displayed God’s unconditional love. He loved everyone on the planet, and we didn’t have to meet any conditions for it. In fact, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Concerning His desire to save us and bring us into a reconciled relationship, God loves every person in the world just the same.
However, the Bible is also clear God has special love for those who accept His invitation to be saved and love Him back with all their heart, soul, and mind. In Hosea, God condemns His people of sin and says, “All their evil is at Gilgal; indeed, I came to hate them there. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more…” (Hosea 9:15). Later, God says, “I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them.” (Hosea 14:4). God’s love was contingent on their obedience. Now from Jesus: “He who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and disclose Myself to Him.” (John 14:26). “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.” (John 10:17).
In the Bible, God’s love is more than a feeling; it’s active favor. Those who love and obey Him in return are especially precious to Him and receive more favor and blessing than those who despise Him. Imagine you have two grown children. One is a faithful Christian with good character; the other doesn’t care about you and constantly brings shame and dishonor to the family. As a parent, there’s a sense in which you love them both equally and unconditionally because they’re both your children. However, wouldn’t there be a special place in your heart for the child who loves and honors you? And wouldn’t you naturally bestow more favor and blessings on that child than you would the other? It’s the same with God. So — how much does God love you?
