Unconditional

We would like to think we are loved unconditionally by our parents, our siblings, our spouse or children, and are friends. Are we? How many people in our lives have turned their backs on us when we failed to fulfill a need they felt they deserved or were owed?

How many marriages failed because a spouse had an affair because they didn’t feel their needs were being met?

How many friendships and families have been broken because of the political climate today?

How many friends have gone their separate ways because of an argument?

How many parents and children have turned against each other because of lifestyle choices?

How many siblings no longer speak because their brother or sister got more than their fair share when a parent or relative passed away?

Fortunately, there is one person who loves us unconditionally. There is one person who overlooks our faults, our angry outbursts, our pride, and our selfishness. Christ loves us unconditionally. We can turn our backs on Him, yet He loves us. We can cheat on Him idolizing false gods such as fame and money, yet He loves us. We can be angry with Him when things don’t go the way we think they should, yet He loves us. When a loved one is taken from us tragically or too soon, we can walk away from Him, yet He loves us.

Jesus loves us through it all. He loves us through the ups of life and through the downs of life. He loves us when we are fully engaged with Him and when we’ve forgotten about Him. He loves us the day we are born and He still loves us the day we die.

Jesus loves His sheep so much, He chases after us.

“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the
ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?
Matthew 18:12

Yet, we are so fickle with our love. Instead of asking for forgiveness, instead of showing mercy and grace to those whom we feel have wronged us, we turn our backs on them. Our love tends to be very conditional and selfish. I love you when you do what I want. I love you when you let me do what I want. I don’t love you when I don’t get my way.  

I am so thankful God’s love is not like my love. How about you?

Just for today, can we love those around with the same unconditional love and grace with which our Father in heaven loves us?

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
Romans 8:35 NLT

Have a blessed day!

– PSG –