Unconditional: Not subject to any conditions
Condition: The state of something, especially with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.
I have often heard it stated that the “Love of God is unconditional.” But is it always? I don’t think so. It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for those who are genuine in their faith towards God to live in the conditions He has established for us. It’s true that we are saved by grace through faith, and that it is not of ourselves or from works that we gain God’s acceptance through Christ Jesus…
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:4-9
I believe it is equally true that from the onset of recognizing our hopeless and lost condition, that the unconditional love that saved us (when we were fully submitted) begins to lead us forward into a life of obedience grounded in faith and accompanied by works of righteousness.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Paul the Apostle clearly understood the transformation process from a baby who needs unconditional love to a person who needs conditions to live a mature and Godly life in Christ. It is a heart without Christ that cries out for a purpose, a plan, and fulfillment. There can’t be any of those things without proper conditions. Think about where we would be if all the food on our planet was nearly depleted and a “dumb switch” turned on in all the farmers in the world so that they sowed seed in the fall rather than the right season! Wise and true farmers of the earth wait for the right conditions to plant and harvest. They base everything they do on conditions and follow them to a tee…
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7+8
We establish our hearts by following the conditions God has set for us to grow in. Those conditions are blessed and guided by the Holy Spirit, wherein, when we are rooted and grounded in Love (God is Love), are able to grow as naturally as a palm tree in the tropics! Sometimes the storms of life will come. Sometimes the strong winds will test our strength to stand. Sometimes even the Farmer will fertilize the ground around us with the waste of the world, so that when we break through to the surface, we will be as untouched by the filth as a beautiful lily…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
God’s love is not unconditional for those of us who abide in Him. It is by His conditions that we are protected and nourished. You have a purpose, and there is a plan for your life! Fulfillment has already enveloped both of them like a cocoon over the waiting larvae that will soon transform into something much different than what it was when it first began.
