UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

"Unconditional Love" is "In"...like tolerance, pluralism, universalism. It is the TV talk show topic. Like love, "unconditional love" needs to be re-studied. You have to say "tough love" today for modern love (sentimental non-sense). What, really is unconditional love?

(1) It is not deserved, earned, bought. "Unconditional love" is actually "unmerited love." It is not approval/disapproval. Real love humbles.

(2) All love between adults must be "conditional." "Unconditional love" can never be received by adults. It involves behavior, maintenance; you cannot sustain a relationship of good with others living like a criminal. Love is not the issue - behavior is. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) had to leave home to sin! The Father still loved the Prodigal in the Far Country. Love was not the issue. Yet he could not accept said lifestyle. The son was not loved more upon return. He still could not bring his prodigality with him. It was not that the Father would not forgive - it was the sinner would not repent/change. Parents who disown misfit children still love them.

(3) "Unconditional love" is conditional. Two things are required with a gift: (1) The giver, (2) The receiver. A gift is not a gift until it is received. The Father had grace for the prodigal even in the hog pen. That love was unconditional. Yet it was not a blessing because the worldly, impenitent son would not accept it. God sent Jesus to taste death for all. Yet this "unconditional love" must be received. There must be our response. We didn’t earn it - but we can reject it. "Unconditional love" is conditional.

Charles Hodge