Love and Conditions

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

God is love, and love is accurately defined by Him, and by Him alone. Love is not what we think or say it is, but what God says it is — and He says His love is conditional. That condition is Jesus Christ. Those who advance the concept of "unconditional” love are really saying, "It doesn't matter what I do, God will still love me, accept me, and receive me." But this is what Jesus says about those who practice sin and still claim to be Christians, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

 

If you say God's love has conditions, some will call you narrow, unloving, judgmental, and close-minded. But God is very particular about His children and His Kingdom. The Bible teaches the road to heaven is narrow and difficult, and few find it! That is because God has His conditions. He must have His conditions. If we are going to enter in, we must be His, we must be holy, and we must be faithful. If these things are not true of us, we do not know Him, and we are not known by Him.

 

Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle, and the Holy Spirit is preparing her for His return. If you are His, you are clean, free, delivered from sin, and separate from those who practice sin. That is the condition Jesus sets.

 

Yes, God has His conditions. His love has never been unconditional, no matter what some preach and sing. Thank God for His very conditional love. Thank God for Jesus.

 

Let's Pray- Father, those who know You understand and accept Your conditions. Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. Thank You, in my Savior's sweet name, Amen.