Unconditional Love

 

 Unconditional love—

Not subject to any special terms or conditions 

Does not require doing or giving anything

It’s absolute 

No matter what happens 

Not determined or influenced by someone or anything else 

Complete and unlimited 

Unfaltering 

Unquestioning 

I love you just as you are 

No matter who you are

God’s Love Is Unconditional -

It is pure -  free from what impairs, weakens; not mixed or diluted with circumstantial infusions; complete and absolute.

It is Divine Grace Grace Grace - unmerited favor

When I think of our anointed words — “We shall overcome,” it is unconditional love which shall sway the day

I add another whole-some ingredient: 

As you unconditionally love others, love yourself

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, 

nor things impending and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,

nor anything else in "all creation" will be able to separate us from the love of God

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord," Romans 8:38-39

Remember this: God is love.  And God's love endures forever... in all times, in all seasons,

in all places, in all of us...unconditional

FIRST CORINTHIANS THIRTEEN (LOVE)

“This is my commandment,

That you love one another

Just as I have loved you.” (John15:12)

If you can speak in the tongues of men

And even of the angels,

But you do not love with the love of God for and in you,

You are only a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal.  (1)

For God Is Love

“I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness,

Judgment and righteousness in the earth,

For in these things I delight, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:24)

“The earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord.” (Psalm 33:5)

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God

Require you but (reverently) to fear the Lord, your God,

That is to walk in all His ways

And to love Him

And to serve the Lord your God with your mind, and your heart,

And with your entire being.”  (Deuteronomy 10:12)

For God Is Love

“…Moses the servant of the Lord charged you

To love the Lord your God

And walk in all His ways…” Joshua 22:5

If you have prophetic powers –

The gift of interpreting the divine,

And understand all the secret truths and mysteries,

And possess all knowledge,

And have the faith to remove mountains,

But do not possess God’s love in you,

You are nothing – a nobody.

You are useless - of no consequence in the kingdom of God.  ( 2)

“If one loves God truly,

He is known by God.” (1Cointhians. 2:3)

“Love one another fervently

From a pure heart.” 1Peter 1:22)

Let your love be sincere.” (Romans 12:9)

“If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, is a liar.

If he cannot love his brother…he cannot love God.” (1John 4:10)

“Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1John 4:21)

Even if you dole out all that you have to the poor;

If you surrender your body to be burned,

But do not suffer God’s love in you,

You gain nothing – you can claim no rewards in God.  ( 3)

“He who does not love, abides in spiritual death.”  (1John 3:14)

“God Is Love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God,

And God in him.

In this way, love is made complete among us…”

And we know and believe the love God cherishes for us.” (1John 4:16)

“Though mountains should depart

And the hills be shaken or removed,

Yet My Love and kindness shall not depart from you.

…says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:10)

Love endures long;

It is patient and kind.

Love is never envious,

Nor boils over with jealous.

It is not boastful or haughty and proud.

It is not self-seeking -

God’s Love in us does not insist on its own rights

Or its own way.

It is not quick-tempered or petulant or resentful;

It takes no account of the evil done to it.

(Or when someone offends or slights you).

Love pays no attention to a suffered wrong.*   (4,5)

“Love your enemies

And  pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

God’s Love is “Agape” - Unconditional

“Be gentle and forbearing with one another,

If one has a difference, or complaint against another,

Readily pardoning each;

Even as the Lord has freely forgiven you,

So you also forgive and above all these,

Put on love…” (Colossians 3:13-14)

God’s Love

“There is no fear in love.

But perfect love casts out fear.

Because fear brings with it the thought of punishment.

The one who fears has not reached the full maturity of love.” 1John 4:18)

“Yes, He loves His people…” (Deut. 33:3)

“The Lord takes pleasure in His people…”(Psalm 149:4)

“He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,

And abounding in loving-kindness.” (Joel 2:13)

 “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love…” (Psalm 25:10)

Love does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness,

But rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes;

It is ever ready to believe the best of every person.

(Its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances,

And it endures everything).

It always protects

It always trusts

Always hopes

Always perseveres.   (6,7)

“With complete lowliness of mind (unselfishness and gentleness)

With patience, bearing with one another

And making allowance because you love one another.” (Ephesians 4:2)

“ God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor

And the love which you have shown for His name sake.” (Hebrews 6:10)

“To have unfailing love for one another covers a multitude of sins.” 

(1Peter 4:8)

“To love one’s neighbor as oneself,

Is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)

“In Christ Jesus

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything,

But only faith

Activated and energized and expressed

And working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

“Not by might, nor by power,

But by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah  4:6)

God’s Love Is

The Love that never fails,

The love that will never fade out or become obsolete, or come to and end.   

 ( 8)

“His mercy and kindness and His steadfast love

Endures forever…” (Jeremiah 33:11)

God’s Love

Is unchanging,

Eternal

It is timeless, never-ending

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3)

“His Love endures forever.” (2Chronicles 5:13)

As for prophecy – the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose -

It will be “fulfilled”

And pass away – it will no longer coexist.

It will no longer be relevant.   (8)

As for tongues – they will be stilled.

They will be destroyed and cease.  ( 8)

As for knowledge –

It will pass away.

It will lose its value and be superseded by Truth. 

For our knowledge is fragmentary, incomplete and imperfect.

And our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary.    (8,9)

(Knowledge is also binding;

Truth always sets you free.)

“Jesus said – I have loved you,

Just as the Father has loved me; abide in My love.” (John 15:9)

“Who forever loves us and has once (for all)

Loosed and freed us

From our sins by “His own” blood.” (Revelation 1:5)

“And we should love one another

Just as Jesus commanded us.” (Romans 12:9)

 “God’s Love

Has been poured out in our hearts

Through the Holy Spirit

Who has been given to us.” (Romans. 5:5)

“In Love He predestined us

To be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ,

In accordance with His pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:5)

“(He planned) for the maturity of the times

And the climax of the ages to unify all things

And head them up and consummate them in Christ.

Both things in heaven and things on the earth.” Ephesians 1:10)

We know in part;

We prophesy in part.

But when the complete and perfect comes,

The incomplete and imperfect will just vanish away –

When perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

It will become antiquated, void, and superseded!   (10)

“His Love endures forever.”  (2Chronicles 20:21)

“He that does not love

Has not become acquainted with God

For God is love.

In this love of God

Was made manifest His Son

The only begotten Son

(The propitiation (conciliation) for the sins of the whole world)

Who was sent into the world

That we might love through Him.

And if we love one another,

God abides in us

And God’s love is brought to completion,

To its full maturity.

And it is perfected in us.” (1John 4:8-16, 2:2)

When you were a child,

You talked like a child, you thought like a child,

You reasoned like a child

(Not able to see into the complexities).

When you become a man

(Having gained wisdom and insight),

You are done with childish ways, and have put them aside.   (11)

“For whom the Lord loves

He corrects,

Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:12)

For God is Love

“His Love endures forever.” (1Chronicles 16:34)

God’s Word says:

“I am persuaded beyond doubt (I am sure)

That neither death nor life, nor angels

Nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening

Nor things to come, nor powers

Nor heights nor depth, nor anything else

In all creation will be able to separate us

From the Love of God.

Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“What then shall we say to this?

If God be for us, who can be against us?

(Who can be our foe, if God is on our side)” (Roman 8:31)

God’s Love never fails

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim reflection

Of reality – our existence - as in a riddle or enigma,

But when perfection comes,

We shall see in-to reality face to face! –   (12)

The Glory of God’s Love!

 “I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Father of glory

That He may grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation

(Of insight into mysteries and secrets)

In the deep and intimate knowledge of Him.” (Ephesians 1:17)

As of now, we know in part (imperfectly)

But then we shall know and understand freely and clearly,

Even in the same manner as we have been fully and clearly known

And understood

By the Love that is God –   (12)

“For God so greatly loved the world

That He gave His only Begotten Son

So that whosoever believes in Him

Shall not perish, but have everlasting (eternal) life.” (John 3:16)

“The Father loves the Son

And has given everything into His hand.” (John 3:35)

“And we love God

Because He first loved us.” (1John 4:19)

And so faith - conviction and belief,

Hope – confident expectation,

Love – true affection for God and man, 

These three abide.   (13)

But the greatest of these  Is love.   (13)

I pray…

“That (you), and I may have the power to be strong

To apprehend and grasp what is the breadth, and length

And height and depth of God’ Love.

That we may really come to know,

Practically, through experience for oneself,

The love of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge.

That you and I may be filled through all the fullness of God

(To have the richest measure of the divine Presence).” (Ephesians 3:18-19)

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and

The Love of God

And the Presence and fellowship in the Holy Spirit

Be with us all. Amen (So be it)  (2Corinthians 13:14)

            Side Note:

It’s easy to say “I know God loves me”

                When He meets your every need.

           

The challenge is knowing God loves you

When you don’t “feel” God

                 In your everyday trials and tribulations;

                 When you don’t see God around and about you

 Protecting you from pain and suffering;

                 When you feel overwhelmed;

                 When storms come in and toss you to and fro;

                 When God seems far far away - off in the distance;

                 When God doesn’t answer your prayers;

                 When God doesn’t seem to come through in times of trouble;

                 When you’re cast down, depressed and stressed out.

                  Because you lost your house, lost your car, lost your job,

                  Lost your husband, your wife, your heart, your mind.

  Lost your way. 

 When you feel unworthy, unacceptable, undesirable;

                 When you’re sad and alone and feel nobody cares.

                 That’s when blind faith is needed;

                 When you gotta trust the process;

                 When you just gotta believe God loves you

                 In spite of all that rages around you,

 Because God says so, and you just gotta take God at His Word.

 Sometimes you have “to be still and know that He is God.” 

(Psalm 46:10)

“…And know that all things work together for good

And for those who love God and are called according to

His design and purpose…

To be molded into the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:28-29)

“And we know that the Son of God has come to this world

And has given us understanding and insight

So that we may know more clearly Him Who is true;

And we are in Him Who is true – in His Son Jesus Christ.

He is the true God and eternal life.” (1John 5:20)

Praise the Lord God. 

“The Lord is good to all,

And His tender mercies are over all His works

(The entirety of things created).” (Psalm 144:9)  Amen

  

(The Amplified and NIV Bible Translations)

  

Special Note:

The only persons I know who ever rose to this standard of love were

Dr. Martin Luther King, 

and Pastor and friend Ezra Nehemiah Williams                                                                                                                                                                    

L.O.V.E. - Love

Letting Our Victory Emerge

It’s easy to love your mama who gathered you to her bosom
Sang lullabies to her precious little prince and princess,
Who made your seat a soft cushion.
Who worked tirelessly to give you the abundance of your wishes,
Who made your days glow like the glistening sunshine.
Who gave you the resources to develop a good mind.
Who stood by and wouldn’t tire when you were in the fire.
And so you love her too.
Because she first loved you.

It’s easy to love a sister or a brother,
Or some other kin ever willing to bend.
Who doesn’t treasure a friend among men who would walk with you
Through a lion’s den.
Who kept your back when it was broken and bowed with despair.
Whose comfort and care was always there.
It is easy to love a loved one. A daughter or a son.
Or someone who lifts you up on high
And make you feel like a truly great guy.

But not so when your parent kicked you to the curb
Because her mind was muddled with dope,
Or disturbed and couldn't cope.
It's really difficult to love a parent who left home without a word,
Or perhaps you were overshadowed by another much more preferred.

Most find it hard to have love for one who disappoints and causes regret,
Who disrespects and makes you just plain upset,
Someone who always knocks at your door with a cup in hand.
Someone who eats from the dumpster or a garbage can.
Or the stranger on the street
Who walks to a different drumbeat.
It’s hard to love, in spirit and in truth,
Someone who is maybe a little uncouth.
It’s not easy either, to love the haughty and proud,
Or that someone who, God! he talks so loud!

The love that the preachers don’t preach about.
The love that the teachers don’t teach and tout.
The love from above which should cause us to sing and shout.
It’s not often taught from the pulpit,
Not seen from where the congregations sit.
Most don’t even know it.
Most are just mired in the grit and the clay.
Or whatever is the sermon of the day.

It is called AGAPE
A
Great
And
Purposeful
Energy.

It interfaces with the word synergy.
It’s that love unconditional….
With no limitations,
With no conditions,
Complete and guaranteed,
No provisions attached.
Won’t be snatched back.
That love which can only come from and through God.
That love which sets us apart.
That love that God had for David –
The adulterer, the fornicator, the liar, the conspirator, the murderer.
The man described as being “a man after God’s own heart.”
Why so?
David said to God, I love You fervently and devotedly,
O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1
“Save me for the sake of Your steadfast love and mercy.” Psalm 6:4
God said of David, “Because he has set his love upon Me,
Therefore will I deliver him,
I will set him on high because he knows and understands My Name.”
Psalm 91:14

God looks on the heart and determines a man –
It is within the heart that God’s love flows as a fountain of life
In a fruited land.
“The Lord sees not as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance,
But God looks on the heart.” 1Samual 16:7
A man may display a likened smile,
But his heart may be filled with pretentious guile.
He imitates, puts on the face of sanctimonious manners.
And makes like he wears godly-like banners.
A man feigns self-righteous faith.
Putting on the proper face.
He talks the talk and play-acts the part he confesses,
But God looks within the heart of what he professes -
To see whether agape is the foundation on which his love is based.
On what altar his idols are placed.
“How do I love thee, let me count the ways,”
Is a well-worn phrase we’re taught.
“Turn against me and I will damn your days,”
Often come as an afterthought.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God;
And he who loves his fellowman is begotten (born)of God
And is coming (progressively) to know and understand God.
He who does not love has not become acquainted with God.
For God is love.” 1John 4:7-8
“Above all things have unfailing love (agape) for one another,
For love covers a multitude of sins.” 1Peter 4-8

This is the love spoken of in John 3:16-18
“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that
He gave up His only begotten Son.
So that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, not be lost,
But have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge,
To reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on the world,
But that the world might find salvation through Him.
He who believes in Him is not judged, (For him there is no rejection,
No condemnation, He incurs no damnation).”

In 1Corinthians 13, it reads that should a man possess
Prophetic powers and all knowledge, professes unflinching faith,
Gives generously to the poor, gives faithfully his offerings and gifts,
But have not love,
He is nothing.
He could be moral in all his ways,
But have not love,
He gains nothing in God’s sight.
“God’s love in us is not conceited, it is not self-seeking, not resentful,
Pays no attention to a suffered wrong or slight.
Love bears up under anything and is ready to believe
The best of every person.”
This is the highest redeeming lesson.
This is where the agape banner is hung as The Light.
This agape love is not captured by jealousy and strife,
Nor does it succumb to the vainglorious and pompous life.

Most people love with conditions and restrictions.
It’s the human nature of man. The man of the earth.
Clayed in his Adamic birth.
He contends with the love which is given, offered,
And outspread by, with, and through the love from above.

Love those who back-stab you?! Talk against you? Lie on you?!
Betray you?!
Are you serious?! Is this really what we’re required to do?
Love someone who did you wrong?
So long. I’m outta here. I’m gone.

It is not an easy road to travel.
I struggle on it too.
It’s paved with hindering obstacles made of sharp-edged gravel.
The most difficult requirement - It requires you to be forgiving.
Which is the footing for a Christ-centered living.

Man can only attain and aspire to this great and abounding love of God,
This unconditional agape love, through the guidance, the help, the life
Of the Holy Ghost instilling and indwelling,
Infusing and suffusing itself
Within the very depth of the heart and soul.
In Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we be rooted deep in love
And founded securely on love.
That we would apprehend and grasp what is the breadth and length
And height of God’s love.
Which far surpasses mere knowledge.

God’s love is –
Knowing
Personal
Conquering
Unbreakable
Intimate
Like the Father for the Son
Sacrificial
Victorious
Everlasting
Great
Abundant
Abounding
Overflowing
Complete
Life-sustaining .

God’s love
IS - It stands, it remains, it is present, it is here, it is there,
It exists, it coexists, it’s alive, it lives, it is real,
It occurs, it happens
It arises, it falls on the high and low.
Like the sun.
It shines for everyone.
That’s what God wants us to know.
It‘s the way by which we prosper and grow.

Love is referred to in the New Testament scriptures
More than any other word,
Yet it is seldom given its proper hearing.
It is in the Word of God that is most endearing.

“God – so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order
To satisfy the great and wonderful
And intense love with which He loves us.” Ephesians 2:4

“In this love: God was made manifest (displayed …)” 1John 4:9

“I (Christ) have loved you, just as the Father has loved Me;
Abide in My love.” John 15:9“

“For the Father Himself(tenderly)loves you
Because you have loved Me….” John 16:27

“I command you to love one another.” John 15:17

“Love one another; just as I have loved you.” John 13:34

“Love one another fervently from a pure heart.” 1Peter 1:22“

“Let your love be sincere.” Romans 12:9

“God’s love has been poured out in our hearts
Through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5

“May God make you to increase and excel and overflow in love
For one another and for all people…” 1Thessalonians 3:12

“My heart overflows with a goodly theme;
I address my psalm to a King.
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45:1
With Love from the Heart,
Ruth
7/16/2011

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
“He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the
Holy Spirit says to the assemblies.” Revelation 3:22


(Scripture texts based on the Amplified Bible translation)