What is Conditional Love, since we already have been correctly taught God has given us His Unconditional Love?
Unconditional Love, God gives to everyone. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Conditional Love, God gives ONLY to those who obey. “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).
God’s Unconditional Love invites everyone to receive the benefits of an eternal relationship with Himself. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). But He requires we respond with obedience, to which He answers with His Conditional Love, which is accompanied by greater manifestations of Himself. “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him” (John 14:22-23).
(The following is a longer read, but hopefully, not too long. Scan ahead to preview.)
How does this relationship begin? The Holy Spirit initiates everything, when we feel guilt about doing or not doing something we should or shouldn’t do (John 16:8). Even before we understand the implications or make the suggestion, the Holy Spirit places Jesus before the mind’s eye as the solution (John 16:9-10). Our sense of violating our perception of moral rightness leaves us open to the thought that the devil has already been judged for doing what we just did (John 16:11). Our conscience has been pricked, and we become receptive to Christ as a deliverer from our guilt (John 16:14). This unseen sequence repeats itself until either we are saved and becoming sanctified (John 15:10) or hardened ultimately to perdition (Hebrews 3:8).
Christians work together with the Holy Spirit to gain new brothers and sisters in Christ, to whom greater manifestations of Christ can be shared. This increases our relationship with Christ and one another in Christian fellowship. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1John 1:3). Conditional Love is the medium and conversation of the Christian with God, while Unconditional Love is only God’s invitation to the unbelieving world.
God’s means of expanding and maintaining His Church are threefold:
(1) Supernatural Love. The Body of Christ manifested in the local assembly of disciples, demonstrates the same love Christ reveals to them, thereby attracting the attention of the world. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).
(2) Supernatural Unity. The Body of Christ, in general, but especially manifested in the local assembly of disciples, demonstrates the same unity Christ has with the Father, thereby engaging the notice of the world. “And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” (John 17:22-23).
(3) Supernatural Holiness. The Body of Christ manifested in the the local assembly of disciples, must maintain a holiness of conduct distinct from the sins of the world, so disfellowshipping unruly members is necessary to maintain group holiness, even evidenced by the Father pruning the Vine (John 15:2). “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1Corinthians 5:5). “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Timothy 1:20).
Remember, though God’s Unconditional Love invites all regardless of conduct to participate in the benefit, His Conditional Love requires holy conduct, in order to receive the benefit of His Salvation. Likewise, the Professed Christian may only receive the benefit of God’s Salvation by actually practicing holiness. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
The Holy Spirit: God’s Solution to Humanity’s Predicament
Is there a secret to guarantee our obedience? Yes, the Promised Holy Spirit.
If it seems no one was ever able to please God, then remember, even in the OT dispensation: (1) All the holy angels in Heaven, are still without sin, (2) Adam and Eve were without sin before the Fall, (3) Enoch pleased God so much, he walked Home to Heaven (Genesis 5:24), (4) Abraham was called the “Friend of God” (James 2:23), (5) Moses spoke to God as a friend (Exodus 33:11), (6) David was “a man after His own heart” (1Samuel 13:14), (7) Elijah was caught up to Heaven without dying (2Kings 2:11), (8) Daniel was called by God “beloved” (Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19), (9) The OT prophets saw prophetic glimpses of the Messiah (Isaiah 53), (10) Simeon and Anna faithfully awaited the promised Messiah (Luke 2:25, 36), (11) Mary was chosen as the human mother of Jesus (Matthew 1), and (12) The Apostles and the rest of the 120 faithfully waited in the Upper Room for the Promised Holy Spirit to mark the beginning of the NT dispensation (Acts 2).
All of this happened before the NT giving of the Holy Spirit.
A: What then was the great occasion for the giving of the Holy Spirit?
Q: To give even a greater benefit and probability in these NT times in causing humanity to walk in obedience and love with God. In other words, we have even more opportunity and help in obeying God, especially because of the Holy Spirit and everything everyone before has done to bring us to this point.
“And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).
“He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
Everything recorded in Scripture about Love is in reference to Conditional Love, except when it refers to God inviting anyone regardless of character or conduct to receive the benefit of His Salvation.
Let not the devil confuse us into thinking we can do whatever we like because God will still love us.
For no one will ever see Heaven unless they repent, believe, obey, and persevere until the end with the Gospel.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1Peter 4:17).
Father, teach us the difference between Unconditional Love and Conditional Love. May You be glorified for offering Your Unconditional Love for Salvation to everyone. But, may You be magnified for Your Conditional Love, when people understand, believe, repent, obey the Gospel, and persevere to the end. Create Your Kingdom in human hearts now, but return soon to reclaim Your earthly crown. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 