Unconditional Love vs. Unconditional Acceptance
The love of God is unconditional (John 3:16-18) but that doesn’t mean that we are unconditionally accepted by God (Romans 14:12). That means it matters how we live day to day.
“Unconditional” literally means without any limitations whatsoever. Are there things that God offers is without limitation? Yes, God offers his love to everyone without limits.
- Unconditional love. The word “unconditional” isn’t found in Scripture but the idea certainly is. God loved us so much to send His son to endure the punishment we deserved. That means we don’t have to qualify for God’s Love. Yet salvation (being accepted by God) is conditional. Although God extends His love to everyone, we still must accept it through obedience to Him (Hebrews 5:8-9).
- Unconditional acceptance? Some behavior is pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18) and some behavior is not (Isaiah 59:1-2).
- Even though God loves us we are not acceptable as long as we live a life of sin. Would a loving God go so far as to let you die in your sin so as to be eternally separated from Him (John 8:24, Luke 13:3). There are always conditions associated with salvation (1 John 1:7). It’s obvious that God doesn’t accepted anyone and everyone regardless of the way they live their lives or how they treat God. The doctrine of unconditional acceptance is dangerous because it can keep a person from God without that person knowing they are displeasing to God.
Living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God is the high priority as long as we are in this world. That calls for accountability and obedience on our part. That means emptying ourselves of pride to be filled with God’s will (Luke 22:42). It’s a life of love toward God that becomes a life of love toward others, and in turn, becomes a life of enriched fulfillment. God designed this path for our betterment because He knows the best ways.
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