Does God Love Everyone, "Unconditionally"?

Hammster said:

I don't think I mentioned anything about an offer.

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Maybe you didn't mention an offer, but you said only some of us have our sins atoned for, which seems to say that the atonement or salvation is only available to some.

Hammster said:

That's written to the church.

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Indeed--but it doesn't take away the fact that He loved us before we were His sons and daughters.

Hammster said:

So you do, then, hold to a form of limited atonement.

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No, the atonement is available for all...Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world John 1:29
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Salvation is limited to those who believe in Jesus to save them.

Hammster said:

Yes, it is. It's available to His chosen people.

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The Bible says it is available to whosoever believes in Jesus Christ.

absolutely

repentance, udnerstood correctly, is a means of receiving the grace that already is provided. We can not therfor say there are any real conditions for gods love. The exception would be repentance, but it truly isnt a work or an effort, so even that can't be said to be a condition. Repentance is like starting to tap the trillions that your father already has wired your bank account. no one would call that a condition to receive his love. the fact that its already provided proves that there are no conditions.

Hammster said:

“But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

He was rebuking the Pharisees. They thought they were righteous. He wasn't calling them.

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They thought they were righteous, while they actually were sinners like everyone else, so although they were not receptive Jesus was still calling them to repentance.

His gift is there for all who are willing to accept it! His gift is there for all people. Emphasis on all. He gave his son to save us all. It wasn't based on the condition of "if we could love" him the same in return. It is there for us all if we can accept it. Point. Blank. Period.

God has both conditional and unconditional love for people.

His unconditional love is open ended benevolence (good will) towards all - in a general context.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. <---> Luke 2:14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. <---> John 3:16-17

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. <---> 2 Peter 3:9

God's unconditional love gives us generous opportunity to repent and believe and be saved - though we have done things worthy of destruction.

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? <---> Ezekiel 33:11

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? <---> Ezekiel 18:23

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. <---> Mark 1:14-15

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God's conditional love is contingent upon the nature of our personal response to the merciful extension of His unconditional love.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. <---> John 14:22-24

God's unconditional love makes Salvation possible for us sinners; and it is His conditional love, (given as a result of us loving in response to the unconditional), that seals us with His Spirit, making the opportunity for Salvation - an ongoing present reality.

See Ephesians 4

And May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless & Keep !

wm

spockrates said:

From what I gather from scripture, there are at least two conditions one must meet to receive eternal life - repentance and faith. Since these conditions are required, I don't see how God's love can logically be said to be unconditional. I suppose one might logically say God's potential love is unconditional but not God's actual love.

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Hello spockrates.

There are no conditions required to be granted salvation, it is a free gift. Anyone who tells you otherwise, misunderstands the reconciliation that Christ granted freely.

We cannot of our own will access eternal life, we are mortal, finite creatures in a finite universe.

The very platform of Christianity on which we all stand, is the death and resurrection of the Christ. It is not what we can do but what Christ has already done for us.

God's love is eternal, God's actual love never varies like our own conditional love.

Hammster said:

Yes, it is. It's available to His chosen people.

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Do you mean the people of the nation of Israel; they were chosen? Do you mean Judas; he was chosen? Define chosen.

Hammster said:

He was calling them out as self-righteous. It was a bit of sarcasm.

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I get the sarcasm, yet still believe that His words were convicting and we don't know if any ended up repenting.