Is There Such Thing As Unconditional Love? | John 15:9-11
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. — John 15:9-11 Many people get the concept of love wrong and even talk about it in the wrong way. And today, you might be initially surprised by what I am going to say, but there is no such thing as unconditional love. Unconditional love is an attempt to capture an ideal picture of love without conditions or limitations. It's extended independent of circumstances, actions, or failures. And the whole construct behind this notion promotes ideas that popular worldviews leverage, which are unbiblical and ungodly. But note this: Jesus does love us perfectly before we meet any condition. In addition, His sacrifice on the Cross is a profound act of love. And the love He extends to humanity is infinite and possible to know. But these attributes of love don't qualify it as unconditional. In fact, for mankind to receive His perfect, profound, and infinite love, we must meet a condition. And Jesus tells us in this text that His love is conditional. "If" is the operative word. "If you keep my commandments, [then] you will abide in my love." Know that God's love is not without conditions. It's entirely conditional, and yet perfect, profound, and possible to know. Don't be deceived by worldly misinterpretations of Jesus's love that sound appealing but are ultimately untrue and harmful because they misinterpret his love. Jesus's love is more acceptable and meaningful than these misconceptions. So, if you want it, embrace it by doing what he says and living His way. By doing so, you'll discover a fullness of joy and love that surpasses false ideologies like unconditional love — you'll know his infinite love. ASK THIS: 1) Reflect on your understanding of God's love. How has the idea of it being conditional, yet perfect and profound, challenged or affirmed your beliefs? What steps can you take to truly abide in His love by following His commandments? 2) Consider the worldly misconceptions of love that you've encountered. How do these differ from the truth of Jesus's love as described in John 15:9-11? How can you apply this understanding to deepen your relationship with Him and experience the fullness of joy and love that surpasses worldly ideas? DO THIS: Accept true love by doing what Jesus said. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to embrace your profound and perfect love, recognizing that it's conditional yet more meaningful than any worldly misconception. Guide me in following your commandments and living your way so that I may fully know and experience your infinite love. Amen. PLAY THIS: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-catego... ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: / millervince INSTAGRAM: / vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: / vincemiller TWITTER: / vinceleemiller
