RAW FACTS ABOUT HUMAN LOVE - NEVER UNCONDITIONAL: How To Recognize Love - Part V

OTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT HUMAN LOVE...

(Today's post may be a little challenging for some to accept because of what they have previously learned, have been taught or have heard.)

One Christian writer has said, "Human love is a sacred attribute; but should not be allowed to mar our religious experience, or draw our hearts from God." Why not you ask ? Because God is love..the very essence and meaning of love...

Human love is based upon feelings and God's love is based upon principle. Human love is weak and changeable, but God's love is full and deep and unchangeable. Notice that the word is unchangeable and not unconditional. The Bible never describes God’s love as unconditional but it does describe His love as unchangeable. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8) For I [am] the LORD, I change not Malachi 3: 6

The phrase "unconditional love" did not originate with God or the church. Unconditional love is a man-made love. It was derived from the published works of a psychoanalyst named Erich Fromm who did not have a very high opinion of God. Here is a sample of his thoughts.

"I am not blessed, because God is good. I also never want to desire that God gives me blessedness by his goodness, because he would not be able to. I am blessed only because God is reason (vernünftig) and because I recognize this." Copyright © 1999 and 2004 by The Literary Estate of Erich Fromm c/o Dr. Rainer Funk, Ursrainer Ring 24, D-72076 Tuebingen Fax: +49-7071-600049, E-mail: frommfunk[atsymbol] aol.com. Parts of this paper on mysticism and religion were included in: E. Fromm, On Being Human, New York: Continuum 1994, pp. 160ff.

The phrase "unconditional love" was coined by German psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1934, and the concept was developed in his 1956 book, The Art Of Loving. His ideas were refined in the 1960s by the humanist psychologist Carl Rogers.

You can read all about Erich Fromm and his works on his website here - http://www.erich-fromm.de/e/index.htm?/translate_c?shownews=1

GOD's love is not unconditional. There are certain character qualities and individuals with these qualities that He actually hates.

These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

In fact the Bible makes clear that people, even His own people can choose to reach a permanent condition of wickedness where God cannot continue to love them.

This is exactly what happened in Hosea 9:15 when God finally said, "I will love them no more." It should be very obvious that if someone stops loving you, his or her love is not unconditional.

God chooses to love human beings regardless of their condition unless human beings choose to reach a permanent condition where God cannot love them. What condition would that be ? A settled condition of complete and utter rejection of the love of God in Christ.

God's love for a human being can be limited by the condition of a mind that has chosen to reject His love. God cannot love a person against his or her will.

The words “unconditional love” are misleading and deceptive. These words say to the human heart, “There is no urgent need to change.” You will always be accepted just the way you are. God loves you so much, He will not require you to be any different than what you are. You don't have to change. The words create a false standard that human love is expected to measure up to. Since human love is based upon feelings, and feelings change with circumstances and conditions, unconditional love can never be a reality for human beings.

HOWEVER...

God's love IS UNCHANGEABLE. It is unchangeable because it is not merely a feeling but a principle. Human beings can experience this love and demonstrate it but only with God's help. "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5) This love is not subject to circumstances or conditions.

Think about the love of God with me for a moment...

Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. God gave up His only Son to His enemies in order to save His enemies. All the paternal love that has come down from generation to generation, through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness that have opened in the sons of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean, when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue can not utter it; pen can not portray it.

Have you human love for the few with whom you are associated ? You must have a deeper love than this. You must have the love of Jesus, which is an abiding, increasing love...

Human love must be refined, elevated and purified by CHRIST and apart from HIM, it is not consistent. Consistency is a jewel. Without consistency there can be no security and without security there can be no trust. This is why GOD, helps us to trust Him by multiplied assurances and securities.

By the grace of God, we will continue to study these things in another post. Have a marvelous weekend.

T.K.

© 2009 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

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