Posted: August 6, 2009
Whether they admit it or not, unconditional love is something that each and every human on the planet longs for. From the moment we take our first full breath of oxogen we long to be held close. We know when someone is nervous about holding us, and even pick up on the tones of the voices around us, sensing the security and serenity of the environment we’re in - or the lack thereof. Believe me, we long to be unconditionally loved and accepted from the moment we feel or sense it’s lacking; and as soon as we feel it’s not there we want it - and want it in a major way.
Imagine if you would being accepted by the one person that matters the most to you - the most important one in your life. A Mom or Dad that is either here or passed on, an Aunt or Uncle, a friend, your spouse, a sibling, or even a teacher or Pastor. What would it be like if you could say in your heart, without hesitation, that they “totally and unconditionally loved and accepted”... you? They would still stand up to you when you’re wrong & teach you the better way, but they would never stop loving and accepting you as your friend or loved one. How would you feel if you never had to worry about that relationship going away, but that the more time you spent together, the closer you became?
Most people would be completely and totally relieved if they knew another person would have this sort of “unconditional love” for them.
The ironic thing is that the Creator of all the universe cares for His children in this very way - yet few truly remember and rejoice in the fact that He does.
If we were to truly realize how much God loves - “unconditionally loves” us, I believe our lives would be completely different. Our troubles on the worst day of our lives thus far are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us...(Romans 8:18). Glory that is revealed by God to those He loves - ALL His children!
God loves us with an “unconditional love” because of Jesus! He loves and accepts us because of what Jesus has done on the cross, not because being in a relationship with us befits Him. He loves us because He loves us! Not because of the “works” we do to show Him our love for Him.
How freeing it should be to know that the God of all things, of all creation, that is above all things and is perfectly holy, just, and righteous in every way - LOVES YOU “UNCONDITIONALLY”! And not because you don’t sin, because we all do, not because you sin less than the next guy, because we’re all unrighteous and we’ve all sinned and fallen short of His glory and the mark He’s set... not because of anything we’ve done, are doing, or will do, but because of Jesus and what He has done!
What a privilege to be an actual child, a son or daughter of God Almighty!
1 John 3:1
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
It is an “unconditional love” because God loves us not because of our merit, but because of Jesus!
Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Why do we fret, why do we worry, why do we sacrifice the peace and joy we long for - the “unconditional love” we long to have for and from someone when we have the love of our Heavenly Father?
We are not in sin to long for those human relationships - I’m not saying that. But what I am saying is that I believe we trust in them a little too much when it comes to finding our significance, our place, our purpose. Our peace must first come from knowing and being accepted - “unconditionally loved” - by God alone.
Walk and pray with me as I seek to practice this. As Paul, I pray I find my place, value and acceptance -from God, above all others.
PT
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