conditional: imposing, depending on, or containing a condition; depending on other factors; not certain.
So, it stands to reason that 'unconditional' can be defined like this:
unconditional: not imposing, not depending on or not containing a condition; not depending on other factors; certain.
There are many things in life that are conditional - things we take for granted - things you might say, 'Well, duh.' For example, if you're reading this you are receiving electricity into your home based on the condition that you paid your electric bill. The fact that you were able to pay that bill is because you worked to earn enough money to do so. You receive a paycheck based on the condition that you work at your job. You have a job based on the condition that you have the skills required to perform the responsibilities/requirements demanded in that role.
My boys have privileges that are conditional. They can ride their motorcycles or play computer games, etc., after school depending on whether or not their homework is completed and they've finished any necessary chores around the house.
We all have our own activities or involvements that are conditional - they are somewhat determined by other factors. Maybe you have a date planned for the weekend. Then, your spouse has to work late, or your child gets sick, etc. It isn't certain. Life isn't certain.
What about love? Is it conditional? Is it something that should 'impose, depend on, or contain a condition?' Should love 'depend on other factors' or be uncertain?
I hope not.
But...
in too many cases we put limitations on how we love others, making love conditional.
I think that sometimes conditional love is unintentional.
For example, co-workers. You work with the same people day in and day out. You get to know each other, become good friends, and, if asked, you would say that yes, you love your co-worker. (Okay, we all have one of THOSE people around us who is simply hard to love - don't deny it. You know somebody's name just popped into your head!) You go to lunch together every day, get together occasionally on the weekend, go to work parties together, etc. Then, one of you quits to go to work somewhere else. You stay in touch with each other for a while, meeting for lunch, meeting at the mall after work or on the weekend. But, it doesn't take long before that relationship fades away because you never see each other anymore. The love that existed between the two co-workers was conditional. It was based on the condition that the two co-workers see each other every and that they maintain a commonality in sharing a workplace.
But, what else could cause a person to possess a conditional love for the people around them? Sadly, for some people, it doesn't take much. I have witnessed conditional love - I have experienced the receiving end of conditional love - I'm not sure I'm brave enough to admit it, but I've probably been guilty of placing conditions on my own love for others.
Sometimes it happens because there is a lack of contact between the two parties and the friendship dies. I've witnessed friendships where one person does something to offend the other and the relationship is forsaken with no opportunity for forgiveness. I've seen relationships where one person simply doesn't approve of something the other person is doing or how the person is living. Instead of confronting the other party and trying to understand and resolve the situation, the path of least resistance is taken, nothing is done and a relationship is shattered.
Conditional love has the mindset of, 'I love you as long as you act a certain way, think a certain way, do certain things, don't do certain things - as long as you are pleasing me, I'll love you.' This type of 'love' always results in a broken relationship and leaves the 'victim' of the conditions feeling abandoned, confused and dejected...sometimes not even knowing why the relationship ended.
I am convinced that in a situation where someone puts limitations or conditions on the love they have for another person - whether it's a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or friend - love never existed in that relationship in the first place.
The good news is that there are people who do love UNconditionally. People who stand by their friends 'when the going gets tough' - friends who work hard to maintain friendships even when they don't understand what the other is experiencing. Families who stick together no matter what happens - families who love each other even when the actions of some of their members is less than desirable - people who don't withhold love and affection and camaraderie because someone fails to meet their expectations. A person who loves unconditionally is someone who continues to love another person even though he has been hurt.
Is that someone like you? Someone like your best friend? Someone like me?
Someone like Christ.
What happened at Calvary is the ultimate Unconditional Love. God knew before He created the earth that none of us would ever be able to live up to the Standard. He knew that we would turn our backs on Him, reject Him, blaspheme His Name, break His laws, and would worship other gods. Yet, he still chose to create us. He still chose to provide a Way. He still chose to send His only Son, Jesus, to Earth to come to our rescue.
He still chose to love us.Unconditionally.
He still loves us unconditionally.
He doesn't withhold His love from us because of what we do, how we act, what we say. He doesn't forsake us, even when we forsake Him.
Because He loves us.
He loves us unconditionally.
So, when friends fail us - when family fails us - and they will...we have the assurance that there is, indeed, a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. Someone who loves us no matter what. I am so thankful that God's faithfulness to me isn't dependent on my faithfulness to Him - I am eternally thankful for His unconditional love.
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