We often confuse unconditional love with unconditional approval. God loves us without conditions but does not approve of every human behavior. God doesn’t approve of betrayal, violence, hatred, suspicion, and all other expressions of evil, because they all contradict the love God wants to instill in the human heart. Evil is the absence of God’s love. Evil does not belong to God.
God’s unconditional love means that God continues to love us even when we say or think evil things. God continues to wait for us as a loving parent waits for the return of a lost child. It is important for us to hold on to the truth that God never gives up loving us even when God is saddened by what we do. That truth will help us to return to God’s ever-present love.
7 comments
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February 6, 2007 at 11:28 am
bereans
Hi Helen!
Have I told you lately what an encouragement you are to me?
God bless you!
-j
February 6, 2007 at 11:36 am
helenl
Hi Jack, And you to me. I love you, Jack! You help me confirm how glad I am that I am the peson I am (in Christ) becoming. May God bless you richly. And if we never meet in “person,” you’ll be one of the first I want to meet in heaven.
February 6, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Jana Allard
“Evil is the absence of God’s love. Evil does not belong to God.” I wish more could come to this understanding and stop blaming God for the ill of the world. The Almighty hates evil as much as we do. Thankfully, His love extends further than evil.
February 6, 2007 at 12:31 pm
writeathome
I’m glad God loves us like a parent loves their lost child. He is a God that is constantly reaching for us, and for that, I am very grateful!
February 6, 2007 at 12:45 pm
helenl
Yes, Jana, truly, “God is love.”
Hi Carol, I’m glad for that, too, because often we are “lost.” I don’t mean in the sense of our salavation, but meandering as though we have forgotten the way, which is, of course, Jesus. And so over and over and over again, God sets us on the path and the solid rock, his patience with His children gentle and kind.
February 7, 2007 at 8:10 am
bereans
I love you too, Helen! What a glorious day that will be!
-j
February 7, 2007 at 9:18 am
helenl
Amen!