6/14/2023 0 Comments Unconditional love examples![]() ![]() ![]() He was amazed that he felt so alive and free. ![]() One day, he called to tell me that he and his wife had given their hearts to the Lord. And even the best make mistakes." He paused and replied, "I've never thought about it like that." Our friendship continued to develop. ![]() Of those who are, some are better than others. I quickly prayed for wisdom and said, "Marc, Christians are a lot like painters. He promptly told me that he knew I was a preacher, but he didn't have much for Christians or preachers because of some bad experiences. A person might have biological life, but not the quality of life God envisions for us.Ī few years ago I encountered Marc, a house painter. Separation from God, caused by sin, is separation from life. It is a healing of the soul, bringing us back to the state of Adam when God breathed life into him and made him a living soul. Simply, salvation is God making us whole or complete. God's unconditional and intense love for fallen humanity motivated the plan of salvation ( Revelation 1:5). It is costly, brings vulnerability, and seeks the person's highest good ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love must meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of those loved. Love that is not expressed through the giving of self, practical action and sacrifice is not love. God's love (and our own!) is not an abstract ideal, but a concrete reality that finds expression. This break in the relationship required redemption. "Intense love does not measure, it just gives" (Mother Teresa).ĭaily, Adam and Eve walked with God, until the desire for pleasure overcame their love for God (see Genesis 3). Unconditional love does not mean that God loves everything we do, but rather His love is so intense that He loves every sinner, no matter how vile and despicable he or she may be in the eyes of humanity, so much that He provides a way for them to find love, life, and holiness ( John 3:16). This attitude stands in stark contrast to God's unconditional love, which never fails ( Psalms 52:8), endures forever ( Psalms 106:1), is uncalculating ( Proverbs 30:5), and not motivated by personal gain ( 1 John 3:16). He decided to send a gift to the couple that reflected their commitment to the marriage – a package of paper plates! He said he figured the package would last as long as the marriage. William Bennett, former Secretary of Education and author of The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (1993), once said that he attended a wedding where the vows had been changed to reflect this love of convenience. The conditions may be different depending upon the relationship, but there are still conditions to be met in order to "earn" our love. When that ceases, so does my love for you." For many, love is conditional. That is, "I will love you as long as you add value to my life and please me. However, God's love is not like the love expressed by many in our culture today: a love of convenience and ego. Love is the greatest and purest essence of who a person is and its proper expression brings fulfillment. It motivates His every action, directs His activities, and reflects His desires ( 1 John 4:10). He doesn't just love – He is love ( 1 John 4:16). Love is not something he chooses to do or give. And in reality, His life and holiness are based upon and are an expression of His love: love gives, so He gives life love desires the best, so holiness proceeds from Him. Volumes have been written about the characteristics of God, but when it is distilled to the most basic categories, He is love ( 1 John 4:8), life ( Jeremiah 10:10 Revelation 22:1), and holiness ( Psalms 99:9). Adam was aware that he was the culmination and climax of creation and that the Creator had just formed a special bond with him – a relationship of love (see Genesis 2:7). Suddenly, miraculously, the form responded to the breath and sprang to life. He breathed, forcing air into the earthen vessel He had fashioned. ![]()
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