I think it’s unconsciously done for the most part, however the results are the same. Too much of the church teaching down through the ages has been from the Gospel of Conditional Love. God is portrayed as one who offers and IS unconditional love and yet the realities that are faced by most church-going adherents smacks of conditions: multiple conditions!
Here are the CONDITIONS of God’s unconditional love as esposed by most churches.
1-Believe the right things (local church doctrine)
2-Say the right prayers
3-Confess that Jesus died for your sins
4-Follow the correct liturgy
5-Forgive everyone
6-Be charitable in your behavior (Matt. 25)
7-Repent of my many sins
If one will do those things then you’ll not be rejected by God! If you obey those conditions, then God will accept you into heaven as a son or daughter of God. But remember, if you DO NOT do those things (read Deut. 28 starting with verse 15, then expect STUFF to happen, and I’m not talking GOOD NEWS here.
And the church will be faithful to uphold the principle of “sin management” pointing out our sins at every violation. We’re taught that santification is the work of the Holy Spirit; however, the teaching and the practice don’t align properly.
The ransom is paid in full- IF you do thus-n-such!
At the Super Bowl this year invariably someone will hold a banner in the end zone that simply says John 3:16. And then someone goes to church and is confronted with John 3:18. In advertising it’s called bait-n-switch. In religion, it’s called hypocrisy or deception.
Modern-day Pharisees are those who know that thay know, are certain of everything, have the only right and true doctrine, and come across as superior and elitist. The stench is powerful! And there are many religious traps awaiting the unsuspecting.
But, I have GOOD NEWS! Jesus awaits us as well.
God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL! It’s the church’s concept of love and God that’s CONDITIONAL!
0 Response to “Unconditional Love?”