Love: Undeserved! Unconditional?

SUN., JULY 16, 1995, 5:47 AM
FARM, STUDY

It is good that you and Lenore shall return to this small “church on the hill,” of which you were a part 20 years or so ago. For you it was a well-remembered time, even as it was not so for your sons. This is another anniversary of the founding of this part of My Body, a fine reason to celebrate.

You have read the Scriptural story from Hosea, which, presumably, will be the basis for this morning’s adult Sunday School class. You describe it as a strange story, and it is. You wonder if it is really true… whether I, as the Lord God, would ask this of a good man, who I had called as a prophet… minor, but still included as a part of Holy Scripture and the history of the Jewish people.

According to the lesson, this is an example of undeserved love, from Hosea to Gomer… from Me to Israel. As you tried to tell the story to Lenore the question arose as to whether this was also unconditional love. Are these the same? Do I love unconditionally? What does this mean?

Does this church that you will attend this morning, with its congregation of “old-timers” and newer members, deserve My love. They have had their internal squabbles over the years, and yet they continue to be, as an active, viable Body. Could they do such without My loving assistance? Is their very presence evidence of My love. Is it undeserved love?

My original chosen people, the Jews, still exist today, in Israel, their home country named in honor of their descent from Jacob. They also have come together, in this country and many others, yesterday, the original Sabbath, in temples and synagogues to worship and to practice ancient rituals. This is a continuing faithful remnant. For what they do they don’t deserve My love, but who does? For their faith and trust over the years… generations… I give My love.

My problem, and I’ll call it that this morning, is that I have perfectly created humans to be imperfect. I want perfect behavior and perfect motivations from imperfect individuals, peoples, and worshipping communities. They don’t meet My standards. Therefore they don’t deserve My love. Therefore I must show undeserved love, but, other than perfection, do I have any standards?

Unconditional love implies that I don’t. I love those who are My people, whatever they do and however they are. It may even imply that the further you remove yourself from Me, the more I love you. As Jesus, I told a story now called The Prodigal Son. The father seemed to show more love for the son who had left, wasted his inheritance in a life of debauchery, than for the son who had remained at home and dutiful. He returned and was showered with evidences of love. This was clearly undeserved… and it seemed to be unconditional, for it was not told what happened the next day.

Yes, I do set conditions for those I love. There are “services” I want from you. If you don’t fulfill these there may be consequences. These may not seem to be what a loving God would cause or allow, but they don’t represent a diminishing of My love. It can be called “tough love.” If I am not pleased with your actions and your motives there may be some deserved, but unpleasant, consequences.