Is God's Love Conditional or Unconditional?

[Gregory Thompson]

A straightforward question; is God's love conditional or unconditional. And depending on your answer would this imply salvation is conditional? If so why?

This may be well answered in what what said of what makes a disciple in Luke and then by Matthew.

Luke recorded Jesus saying you have to hate everyone to be a disciple.

Matthew recorded Jesus saying you have to love God first before everyone else to be a disciple.

The act of choosing people as God does, illustrates that he loves some, but excludes others.

God's love is without favoritism, in that among those chosen, they have the same rights, and those chosen vary in station and nationality. However, saying it is without conditions sounds off since Jesus had to die so the Father could express love towards us.

This issue (that rises for contemporary audiences) is kind of why we pray to the Father asking that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Because of the choices of the first humans, God has to work with our red tape, the conditions that humans created.

 

[wendykvw]

You seemed to have not read my post. Not sure why anyone would want to do the very least possible to be saved, instead of doing what God asks because you love Him.

Jesus makes it clear that those who do not do the will of the Father will not enter into Heaven. Matthew 7:21-23. I think this teaching that we can do whatever we want and be saved is leading many people down the wrong path. Matthew 7:13-14 Hebrews 10:26-30 Revelation 22:14-15

I have read it completely. I do not agree with your conclusions

 

[wendykvw]

You still cannot make her love you, though...[/QUOTE
It isn't about our love it is about God's unconditional love for us.
1John 4:10

1 John 4:9 This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

It isn't about our love for God it is about His unconditional love for us.
1John 4:10

 

[FineLinen]

Hello Wendy, for clarity's sake, does this "drawing back" of EVERYONE by the Father mean that ~ALL~, without exception, will be justified and saved (at least eventually anyway)?

Thanks!

--David

"Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I have read it completely. I do not agree with your conclusions

Do you believe Jesus when He says we will be accountable for what we teach?

Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Or when Jesus teaches that those who do the will of the Father will enter into the gate of heaven and a warning for those who do not?


Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

My conclusion are what Jesus taught and what scripture teaches and Jesus cannot lie so it seems prideful to think we should not take Jesus for His Word. Jesus loves us and wants His children to make the right decisions, which is why we have these warnings in scriptures. Eve chose to listen to the “other voice” and the scriptures are filled with warnings on those who choose not to obey God.

For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments- this is my conclusion because God said it: showing mercy to thousands who love Me and keep My commandments Exodus 20:6 Jesus said it John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments . The greatest commandment in scripture is to love God with all your heart and mind so if you break and teach others you don’t need to keep God’s commandments this is breaking the greatest commandment to love God.

There is no scripture that teaches us everyone will be saved. God loves each of us and because He loves us so much He gives us free will to not love Him back.

We are saved by God’s grace though faith. Faith loves, faith believes what God asks and through faith one obeys God because what He asks of us is for our own good. Romans 3:31, Revelation 14:12.

 

[wendykvw]

Do you believe Jesus when He says we will be accountable for what we teach?

Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Or when Jesus teaches that those who do the will of the Father will enter into the gate of heaven and a warning for those who do not?


Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

My conclusion are what Jesus taught and what scripture teaches and Jesus cannot lie so it seems prideful to think we should not take Jesus for His Word. Jesus loves us and wants His children to make the right decisions, which is why we have these warnings in scriptures. Eve chose to listen to the “other voice” and the scriptures are filled with warnings on those who choose not to obey God.

For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments- this is my conclusion because God said it: showing mercy to thousands who love Me and keep My commandments Exodus 20:6 Jesus said it John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments . The greatest commandment in scripture is to love God with all your heart and mind so if you break and teach others you don’t need to keep God’s commandments this is breaking the greatest commandment to love God.

There is no scripture that teaches us everyone will be saved. God loves each of us and because He loves us so much He gives us free will to not love Him back.

We are saved by God’s grace though faith. Faith loves, faith believes what God asks and through faith one obeys God because what He asks of us is for our own good. Romans 3:31, Revelation 14:12.

Hello again. I believe everything Jesus did and said. I trust in Christ alone. All glory goes to Jesus . Thanks for asking.

 

[wendykvw]

This may be well answered in what what said of what makes a disciple in Luke and then by Matthew.

Luke recorded Jesus saying you have to hate everyone to be a disciple.

Matthew recorded Jesus saying you have to love God first before everyone else to be a disciple.

The act of choosing people as God does, illustrates that he loves some, but excludes others.

God's love is without favoritism, in that among those chosen, they have the same rights, and those chosen vary in station and nationality. However, saying it is without conditions sounds off since Jesus had to die so the Father could express love towards us.

This issue (that rises for contemporary audiences) is kind of why we pray to the Father asking that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Because of the choices of the first humans, God has to work with our red tape, the conditions that humans created.

Our red tape? Not sure I follow your logic.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Hello again. I believe everything Jesus did and said. I trust in Christ alone. All glory goes to Jesus . Thanks for asking.

That’s interesting, than we should believe Jesus when He tells us not everyone will be saved and we need to do the will of the Father in Heaven. Matthew 7:21-23 God’s will is written in the scriptures so I find it odd when God said showing mercy to those who love Me and keep My commandments Exodus 20:6, which is what Jesus repeated John 14:15 would even be a debate.

 

[public hermit]

A straightforward question; is God's love conditional or unconditional. And depending on your answer would this imply salvation is conditional? If so why?

Divine love is unconditional. Salvation depends on Divine love and ability, both of which are perfectly sufficient. The only question that remains: Can God woo the soul into eternal love? Yes, God has all eternity to bring it together in Christ. I have faith.

 

[Sabertooth]

It isn't about our love for God it is about His unconditional love for us.
1John 4:10

That does not override our need to be Washed before we can stand in God's otherwise overwhelming Holiness.

 

[Skye1300]

A straightforward question; is God's love conditional or unconditional. And depending on your answer would this imply salvation is conditional? If so why?

God's love is definitely unconditional. Salvation is conditional based on if we receive it or not and why is because He gave us free will.

 

[Skye1300]

Why would a gift be conditional if God's love was unconditional?

Because God's decision to love us is based on His decision and will. But salvation is based on our decision to accept His gift or not. He gave us free will to choose Him or not. But He made up His mind to love us regardless.

 

[Skye1300]

Why would a gift be conditional if God's love was unconditional?

Because God's decision to love us is based on His decision and will. But salvation is based on our decision to accept His gift or not. He gave us free will to choose Him or not. But He made up His mind to love us regardless.

 

[Bobber]

What you essentially believe is God will love only those who love him. This is conditional love. Conditional love is not love at all.

Where do you get that. If I love one of my adult kids and agree to give them a new car with conditions of say better grades in school if they don't keep those conditions how does that make me not loving them for not giving it to them? Actually because I love them I might even be broken hearted that I couldn't bless them. I think anyone could see I could still love them very much.

 

[wendykvw]

That does not override our need to be Washed before we can stand in God's otherwise overwhelming Holiness.

Praise God for His refining fire.

 

[wendykvw]

Because God's decision to love us is based on His decision and will. But salvation is based on our decision to accept His gift or not. He gave us free will to choose Him or not. But He made up His mind to love us regardless.

Yes, He loves us warts and all.

 

[wendykvw]

Where do you get that. If I love one of my adult kids and agree to give them a new car with conditions of say better grades in school if they don't keep those conditions how does that make me not loving them for not giving it to them? Actually because I love them I might even be broken hearted that I couldn't bless them. I think anyone could see I could still love them very much.

Salvation is not based on our works, but is based on the work of Christ. Sanctification is based on our works, and prepares us for the Kingdom of God.

 

[d taylor]

That’s interesting, than we should believe Jesus when He tells us not everyone will be saved and we need to do the will of the Father in Heaven. Matthew 7:21-23 God’s will is written in the scriptures so I find it odd when God said showing mercy to those who love Me and keep My commandments Exodus 20:6, which is what Jesus repeated John 14:15 would even be a debate.

What does John 14:15 have to do with Matthew 7:21

If you want a verse from John that addresses Matthew 7:21 you need John 6:40

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Keeping God's commandments to receive Eternal Life. Would only be attempted by one who believes they can acquire God's free gift of Eternal Life. By actions they they are preforming, which is not the condition God has given to receive Eternal Life.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Our red tape? Not sure I follow your logic.

Like in that verse where the farmer is asked by his assistant when bad seed is sowed through his field.

The farmer decided to wait until the harvest, because killing the bad, meant killing the good entangled with it.

one example of our red tape.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

What does John 14:15 have to do with Matthew 7:21

.

Everything. Let’s look. . .

Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments” John 14:15

Jesus also said:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Sin is breaking God’s law
1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Jesus came to magnify His Father’s law Isaiah 42:21 and repeated almost to verbatim what His Father said right in the Ten Commandments: showing mercy to thousands who love Me and keep My commandments.

The commandments of God points out sin so we know what not to do.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” Quoting directly from the commandments of God that were engraved by God’s own finger. Exodus 20, Exodus 31:18

There is no scripture that says we can practice sin (breaking God’s law) and be saved. Jesus wants our hearts transformed and when we obey His commandments is shows we have a changed heart and we obey not to be saved, but because it is a fruit of ones faith.

It really surprises me that people debate over the commandments of God when we are told: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. 1 John 5:3

God’s will is expressed though His Word. How can you believe Jesus but not believe Him when He asks, If you love Me, keep My commandments. Believe is not something that is superficial, the devil believes but he won’t be saved if you believe the scriptures. Believe means to be lived- be lived in His Word