More Than Unconditional

Visiting my children and grandchildren the last few weeks has made me realize that no matter how big my family grows, there is always enough love to go around. I now have three grandsons and one granddaughter married, which adds four to our family. And I hope that means great grandchildren before too long.  But as I ponder the love that we, as humans, have for our children, I am awed at God's love for us. He loves us much more than we could ever love Him. I've heard it said, that parents love their children more than children love the parents. And that helps me understand a bit of the love God has for his children. But our words seem weak and puny when we try to express the truth of his love. Some people use the word "unconditional love" for God's love. But is that a good description? God's love in reality is MORE than unconditional. Unconditional love, as we understand it, is a total acceptance. This love expects nothing of you. God cares too much to be unconditional in His love. God watches us, He cares about us. Unconditional love isn't as good. It tolerates whatever we do. God's love is active. He loves us. He's involved in our lives. He's merciful, not just tolerant. He hates sin, but calls sinners to him by name. He suffered for us. He fights for us. And his love hates evil, if we do it or if it is done to us. He wants the best for us and that means sometimes we have to be corrected, not just accepted as we are. What great love that accepts us as we are, then changes us into what we should be. Yes, I'd say that God's love is MORE than unconditional.

2nd Cor. 5:14-15.....For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.