Easter Thoughts: Unconditional Love

Unconditional love - what does that even look like in a world where the representation of love is extremely conditional? 

In marriages, families and friendships I’ve seen this on repeat: it’s all petals and snowdrops until one party does something ‘unforgivable,’ or to coin a modern term, ‘crosses the line’. Question: what ‘line’ exactly? Who determines that?  Social media? Governmental institutions? Educational institutions? 

In case you haven’t noticed, all of those examples have failed abysmally at keeping their own standards, let alone dictating yours. ‘Flawed’ is an understatement. What about your own ‘line’? Your metaphorical line intimates perfection. That would suggest that you have a superior moral compass. There you go! Well done! 👏🏾😉You’ve met a thoroughly untainted standard of perfection because you’ve never done anything wrong - and you never will! 

Erm… I’m about to rain on your parade, and I make no  apologies. Do you see why this is so wrong? Putting it simply, you and I are just not perfect.  In fact, this is called ‘self righteousness’ and the Bible refers to it as ‘filthy rags’. (Isaiah 64:6). Now here’s a pretty gruesome thought - soiled sanitary pads would be the modern day equivalent to ‘filthy rags’. Therefore, neither you, nor I,  get to ‘cast the first stone’. (John 8:7). Think about this the next time you are offended.

Now let’s take a look at what real unconditional love looks like. Here is a section of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, shortly before He was crucified:

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here are a couple of nuggets for you: 

He loved us before the foundation of the world!!

and:

God loves us the same as He loves His Son. (John 17:23)

Remember, the innocent, flawless One - Jesus - was about to be crucified for the guilty and flawed mankind. He had real reason to be offended. Yet His focus was to pray for others. Before you or I ever did anything wrong or right, God loved us and still does. That will never change, despite our sin. You see, It was never about you DOING anything. And despite all of your deeds and accomplishments that you think are so wonderful, it will never meet God’s perfect, holy standard. Only Jesus meets this. It’s about what HE already did. That’s what salvation is. Accepting His love, given through His Son on the cross.

I encourage you to ponder these thoughts this Easter.  Just between you and the Father. If you’re carrying offence, ask him to heal your heart - yes, I didn’t say to ask God to fix them (whoever you’re offended at). When you let God in to your offended heart, you allow Him to deal with whoever you may think is at fault.

Similarly, if you’re holding back from letting Christ into your life, remember: He’s the real standard - the only standard. Nothing and no one else is flawless - including you.

This, my friend, is God’s unconditional love. This, is ‘Easter.’

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