Unconditional
Would that not shock us, instantly bring a person to their knees?
It’s hard to imagine a Father who loves us, who operates in grace and mercy, getting face to face and telling us this, but we are told plainly here, without any sugar coating… that we no matter what we think we are doing, no matter how much we might pray, search the scriptures, attend church, do good works- unless we edify, care for, extend the same mercy, grace, lovingkindness, and forgivenness that we have had lavished extravagantly on us by the Lord-without picking others to pieces for making mistakes and having flaws (especially since we are all fallen and broken to some degree!) in other words-LOVE- we’re kidding ourselves. We can’t love God, without also loving our brothers and sisters…it’s all or nothing here.
Loving our brothers and sisters, etc., is a condition of really loving God.
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar.
For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1John 4:18-21
Jesus said, “Freely you have received, now freely give.”
It’s not judgment and punishment we been given, it’s love.
Today beloved, throw away the magnifying glass, the strainer, that critical spirit masquerading as “discernment” and everything else that hinders love, and then apply love liberally, extravagantly and lavishly. There are many around you who will be blessed as you do.
This is the good work that God has started.
Surrender and allow Him to work through us He will be faithful to complete it.