![]() ![]() What makes it all the more complicated is the fact tha t love is expressed in so many ways. The concept of love is undeniably quite abstract and very difficult to describe. How you can start loving unconditionally.Should you love someone unconditionally?.Conditional love versus unconditional love: the main differences.I draw a distinction between the love of a couple trying to restore their relationship, and the love of a couple with the relationship fully restored. I interpret that to mean those who are in a relationship with Him. But even in this context, His love is conditional because it's reserved only for those who fear Him. Does that mean they don't love when they're trying to give their unfaithful spouse another chance? God doesn't keep such a record of those who He loves (Psalms 103:11-12). There are many spouses who can't seem to let go of past offenses, such as infidelity. The keeping a record of wrongs is an interesting indication that you don't have love. Do you get the picture so far? It's more a state of mind than a pattern of behavior, although certain behavior does indicate that a person doesn't have the right state of mind. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, and doesn't delight in evil. In verse 4 we find more that it is not: It's not envy, it doesn't lead to boasting, it is not proud, rude, or self-seeking. It's not "giving all I possess to the poor and surrendering my body to the flames" (verse 3), because those things can be done without love. I Corinthians 13 defines love in both positive and negative terms, so first of all, let's see what it tells us that it's not. If love is conditional, what should the conditions be? For me, that's a much more difficult question to answer than whether or not unconditional love is a good idea, or even possible.ĭoesn't the description of Love in 1 Corinthians 13 imply unconditional love? I believe that if you are to do all those things, then your love is not conditioned on anything. If theology is uninteresting, or offends you, skip this newsletter and return next week when I'll be discussing a topic related to unconditional love - conditions that make separation and divorce reasonable. One writer wondered if I Corinthians 13 doesn't imply unconditional love, and the other felt that the Greek word sometimes used in the Bible for love, agape, meant unconditional love. ![]() They are both based on their theological understanding of God, so I'll be theological in my response. But since I wanted this newsletter to address negative reaction, I've selected two of the few that took issue with me. I received a host of responses, ninety-five percent of them supporting my point of view. The newsletter I sent out last week included an invitation to challenge me on the topic of unconditional love. Is Lovemaking Always Necessary on a Romantic Date? |.Common Obstacles: The Birth of a First Child |.Common Obstacles: Careers That Prevent Romantic Dating |.Common Obstacles: After School Activities |.Common Obstacles: Working Different Shifts |.Scheduling Romantic Dates for the First Time |.Becoming Favorite Recreational Companions |.Great Conversation is Essential for Romantic Dating |.Scheduling Time for Undivided Attention |.Couple #1: How Dating Affects Romantic Love |.The Lover's Perspective on Infidelity #2 |.The Lover's Perspective on Infidelity #1 |.Coping with Infidelity: Resentment (Part 4) |.Coping with Infidelity: Restoring (Part 3) |.Coping with Infidelity: The End (Part 2) |.Coping with Infidelity: Beginning (Part 1) |.Domestic Responsibilities (Part 2) #2 |. ![]()
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