When we think of unconditional love in human terms we typically think of the love a mother has for her child.  Or the love a husband has for his wife and vice versa.  Unfortunately; because we live in a fallen world, the “unconditional” part often gets forgotten or left out.  The notion that if you wrong me you don’t deserve my unconditional love is prevalent in both the Christian and non-Christian communities.

But what does God say about His love for us?  Is it truly unconditional?  The answer is, “yes” always and forever. Whether we realize it or not.  All we have to do is go back to Scripture and see what God says.

1 John 4:9-10 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (NIV).

In human terms we feel we must earn unconditional love.  We often use this same approach with God.   

If God’s love were conditional then we would have to earn His love and appease Him.  But that’s unnecessary because God, motivated by love, moves unconditionally to save His people from their sin.

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (NIV).

I’m reminded of a story of a women who was surprised when finding out that she and her husband were expecting their third child. As she told him what she thought was good news, he became very angry at her.  You see, they had been married for eight years, and upon her telling him of her pregnancy, he informed her that he had planned on leaving her.  On their wedding day they had vowed unconditional love—for better or for worse.  But only God can make that promise and see it through.

Because of His great love for us, God says in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave or forsake us.

No matter how far we stray from Him, God’s promise always holds true. 

The truth to remember is that we live in a fallen world, but as God as our anchor and his promise of unconditional love we never have to feel alone or worry He’s going to tell us that He’s planning on leaving us.  His promise is forever and His love is pure.

If you find yourself struggling with your understanding of the love of Christ, go back into His word. Here are some verses to get you started:

1 John 4:8 God is love.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave us His only Son.

Romans 5:8 God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.

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