Unconditional love

I love you…

…[insert condition here]

I love her since she’s kind and generous.
I love him because he’s always there for me.
I love them if they acknowledge me and accept me and love me back.

Why is it that we attach endless qualifications, restrictions, or provisions to what is supposed to be unconditional? Why is it that we’re selfishly hindered from desiring an altruistic or unreciprocated act/thought without first eliciting a ME-centered mentality? So often are we blinded by our own pre(mis)conceptions that we forget(neglect) what love truly is.

Christ – the epitome, the archetype, the impeccable standard of love. While we inundate our minds with insignificant or trivial concerns (the lady at the counter was so rude; he’s too intimidating; I heard she gossiped about me; they said he’s too much of a loser to hang out with; she always cheats and ends up with better grades; they really hurt me in the past; he’s so bitter towards others; __?__), recall how much more Jesus has suffered. His unyielding love was received by the cruelest, most undeserving death brought forth by the very people he came to save. The ultimate act of love is exemplified as Jesus bore all of our disgusting and blameworthy sins as his own. Instead of God’s wrathful judgment inflicted upon us, Jesus willingly directed it at himself. Perfect. Yet persecuted. Though those around him slandered his name with profanity, mockery, and disgust, not only rejecting his teachings but deliberately living accordingly against it, Jesus showed nothing but love towards them.

What is your +condition? What baggage is hindering you from fully and devotedly loving your neighbors? Pride? Jealousy? Hurt? Apathy?

_____?

Whatever it is, it didn’t stop Jesus from loving us. He didn’t truncate his time on the cross by cherry picking specific sins he wanted to cleanse in specific individuals. He bore it all. As his gracious act triumphed over all possible conditional requirements, we too should strive to reflect a mirror image of this love. To love is to obey (1 John 5:3) and to obey is to love (Matt 22:36-37). Finally, valid circular reasoning!

amazing love, how can it be...
that You my King should die for me