Loved Without Condition (1)
Monday May 23, 2016
In some recovery meetings we affirm three life affirmations. What do we mean when we say them? Life Affirmation 1: I am loved by God always. I am loved without condition.
What is love? We all long for something we call love. We are sure that when we find it, we will finally be satisfied. We say the words and sometimes hear them said in return, “I love you because you make me feel good.” “I love you because you are beautiful.” “I love you because ….” Is this love unconditional? Is this a love that will go on forever? What happens when the person we love does something that wounds us? What happens when the person we love is no longer considered beautiful? What happens when the person we love is more demanding of help from us and less willing to help us when we need it? When conditions or personalities change, what happens to the love we profess?
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8 NLT)
When we were still God’s enemies, still sinners, God loved us so much He sent Jesus to die for us. God didn’t wait until we did something nice for Him. When we were still thoughtless, angry, conceited, self-centered individuals, God said, “I love you and have sent My son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that through Him the world can be saved”. God did not wait until we fulfilled a special requirement or condition before He acted in love. His love is not dependent on certain qualities we may possess. It is completely unconditional.
Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT)
When we were born in innocence, God tenderly loved us. As we grew and learned new things, God smiled on us. Even when we were hurt and angry and walked a destructive path of addiction, God persistently pursued us with His tender love. God's love is not based on our behaviour. God loves us simply because God is love. This unfailing, unconditional love is available to us today through Jesus Christ. Are we willing to reach out and receive it?
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