During a bible study the idea that God loves some more than others came up

[thepromiseofgrace]

The notion that God loves those who do his bidding, keeps sinless, do the work God planned for them came up and to me it goes against unconditional love.

Wondered what others thought.

 

[miamited]

Hi TPOG,

I don't think unconditional love is a term or concept found in the Scriptures. We know from the Scriptures that God's love endures forever. We know that God shows His love for us through and by the sacrifice of His Son. I know that in my years of studying the Scriptures I've never come across a passage that would lead me to believe that God's love is unconditional.

It would seem to me that if God's love were somehow 'unconditional' then we'd have to ask why God would curse Adam and Eve? Why does disobedience to God bring death? If there were no conditions for God's love to be fully received and enjoyed by the creature called man that He created, then why did God smite Nadab and Abihu? Why would there be a final judgment and separation between humanity?

Perhaps you could provide a source for your understanding.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[Steeno7]

The notion that God loves those who do his bidding, keeps sinless, do the work God...

Wondered what others thought.

Nope.

 

[thepromiseofgrace]

I have always understood from a concordance i had that agape, a word used for God's love, meant unconditional, unchanging love.
In scripture it talks about God being no respecter of person .

 

[Steeno7]

I have always understood from a concordance i had that agape, a word used for God's love, meant unconditional, unchanging love.
In scripture it talks about God being no respecter of person .

That's right. Gods love is not conditional love. It's not, “I'll love you 'if'.....".

 

[BryanW92]

I have always understood from a concordance i had that agape, a word used for God's love, meant unconditional, unchanging love.
In scripture it talks about God being no respecter of person .

Agape isn't unconditional love. It is self-sacrificing, selfless, charitable love. In a sense, that is unconditional. But, we tend to think of unconditional as "I can do whatever I want and you will love me"--the love of a co-dependent.

So, it is unconditional in the charitable sense, but it is not unconditional in the co-dependent sense. Unconditional, like agape, are words that do not translate easily into our culture.

 

[thepromiseofgrace]

Agape isn't unconditional love. It is self-sacrificing, selfless, charitable love. In a sense, that is unconditional. But, we tend to think of unconditional as "I can do whatever I want and you will love me"--the love of a co-dependent.

So, it is unconditional in the charitable sense, but it is not unconditional in the co-dependent sense. Unconditional, like agape, are words that do not translate easily into our culture.

if God loves us when we are filthy sinners , I would argue that is unconditional love.

 

[Steeno7]

Agape isn't unconditional love. It is self-sacrificing, selfless, charitable love. In a sense, that is unconditional. But, we tend to think of unconditional as "I can do whatever I want and you will love me"--the love of a co-dependent.

So, it is unconditional in the charitable sense, but it is not unconditional in the co-dependent sense. Unconditional, like agape, are words that do not translate easily into our culture.

So Gods love is a response to certain conditions being met by us? What are those conditions?

 

[7angel]

A father has 4 children, two of whom are bad children, goes to correct or eliminate them?


Can God correct any wrong ?

 

[BryanW92]

if God loves us when we are filthy sinners , I would argue that is unconditional love.

He only loves those who are washed in the blood of Christ. That is very conditional.

 

[BryanW92]

So Gods love is a response to certain conditions being met by us? What are those conditions?

You should have read the entire post instead of just the first line. I explained that in paragraph 2.

 

[Steeno7]

You should have read the entire post instead of just the first line. I explained that in paragraph 2.

Right. It is not unconditional. But it is unconditional if we just don't do whatever we want. Got it.

 

[Neogaia777]

God's loving hand is extended toward "all" of us, all of the time throughout our lives, but it is only those who take that hand who get saved and receive and have God's love in us, get the priviledge of going to heaven.

God'd loving hand is extended toward the wicked and the sinner all throughout his life, by taking that hand God will lead you in repentance from your sins and you will be saved and go to heaven...

(Ezekiel 18:19-32) but I would just like to point out verses 23 & 32...

23- "Do I take any delight at all in the death of someone wicked, is the utterance of the sovereign Lord, and not in that he should turn back from his ways and actually keep living?"

32- "For I do not take any delight in the death of someone dying (in their wickedness and sins), is the utterance of the sovereign Lord, so cause a turning back and keep living, Oh you people."

God loves us all and gives each and every one of us equal chances and opportunities, But he cannot change the laws of this world in that sin causes death, so he urges us to "repent" and turn to him, or turn to him, and repent, and keep living and get everlasting life...

God Bless!