3
The minimal guarantee we must make to people is that they will be loved - always, under everycircumstance, with no exception. The second guarantee is that they will be totally accepted, withoutreservation. . . . . We need to extend this love to everyone who comes into our church . . .
(4)
How do we respond to such sweeping pronouncements by Christians? As with any issue, the final word does notlie with the opinions of men, whether they be humanists or those who confess Jesus Christ. The final word is tobe found in the Word of God. Thus in this study we will be seeking to carefully search God's Word in order toanswer the question,
"What does God say about unconditional love?"
Is there such a thing? Does God lovemen this way? Are we to love others this way?When we open our Bibles and study out all the uses of the major words for love, we discover that the answer tothis question is not as simple as Pastor Cook's pronouncements might seem to make it. For the Bible confrontsus with different degrees or dimensions of love - whether we speak of God's love for men, or of our love forothers. Furthermore, when we take up the subject of
unconditional
love, it is crucial that we carefully definewhat is meant by the descriptive word, "unconditional", in light of the statements of the Word of God.Since the Scriptures clearly teach that God is love (1 John 4:8 & 16) and the God of love (2 Corinthians 13:11),our study will be structured overall according to the different dimensions of love which God shows to men. Aswe consider each of these dimensions of God's love, we will also seek to determine what our own duty is to ourfellow men.
Does God then love men with an unconditional love?
The Bible answers that question - not witha "yes", or a "no". As with so many other issues, it answers it with both a "yes"
and
a "no". For the answerdepends upon the dimension of God's love which is in view, and upon the way we define the word"unconditional". The Word of God confronts us with at least three different dimensions or degrees of God'slove for men, and we will be focusing upon each one as we proceed. Consider then the first dimension of God'slove for men:
PART ONE - GOD'S ELECTING OR CHOOSING LOVE
When most evangelical Christians talk about God's unconditional love, this aspect of His love could not befurther from their minds, for many, if not most deny this aspect altogether. However, it is clearly taught in theWord of God. Please consider with me several elements of God's electing love. The first is:
ITS STRIKING REALITY.
Here I would direct you to Romans 9:10-13:
10
And not, only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man,
even
by our father Isaac
11
(for
the children
not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according toelection might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
12
it was said to her, `
The older shall serve the younger.
'
13
As it is written, `
Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.
'The last verse of this passage speaks with particular forcefulness. The living God declares regarding twobrothers that He loved one, Jacob, and hated one, Esau. And this word "hate" is the regular word for "hate".Many Arminian brethren quickly try to dilute the forcefulness of these words by declaring that God here wastalking about His temporal blessings upon Jacob as unfolded in the nation of Israel - temporal blessings in whichEsau and his offspring did not share. However, although there is an element of truth in this explanation, it is notthe whole truth. For these twin brothers are not used here to illustrate the difference in the earthly fortunes of two nations. They instead are used to illustrate the different eternal, spiritual fortunes of two groups of mankind.Chapter nine begins with Paul expressing his great sorrow and unceasing grief for his unconverted fellowIsraelites - so much so that he would be willing to be cursed himself eternally if they might be saved (verses1-3). Next, after noting the great privileges of the physical descendants of Jacob, he grapples with the fact thatnot all these physical Jews have believed in their Messiah. Has God's Word failed to be fulfilled at this point?The Apostle Paul answers, "No", and then proceeds to show that it has always been true that not all of thephysical descendants of the Patriarchs Abraham and Isaac were true Israelites with true hearts of faith in God
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