What a paradox?
Many Christians may be confused, as they think that they understand the unconditional love extended to ALL people through the blood of Jesus. While they know that salvation is Through Christ, by belief in that Jesus’ death, and resurrection is the perpetuation for their sin, they loose tract that it is this very belief, and confession that qualifies each of us for salvation. In other words, this belief IS A CONDITION.
So can God’s love truly be without condition, or couldn’t its unconditionality be only that it is offered to ALL, regardless of the amount, or nature of sin?
We see in scripture that God calls Moses “the friend of God,” but he is not allowed to enter the promised land for not fulfilling certain “conditions.” Surely God’s grace was extended to Moses, but there were obviously conditions that accompanied God’s relationship with him.
David was called, “a man after God’s own heart,” even though scripture reveals his disobedience of several of the TEN COMMANDMENTS.
He coveted his neighbor’s wife
He violated his neighbor’s wife by committing adultery with her
He had his neighbor murdered so that he could keep his wife for his own.
These seem to be pretty egregious violations to me, yet God’s grace and mercy were given to David.
As we consider these biblical truths, it seems obvious that though God offers salvation to all, regardless of their sin, that salvation is dependent upon certain “conditions,” notably, repentance, and belief in Jesus’ death, and resurrection.
Therefore, the unconditional nature of salvation must pertain only to who qualifies for it. Once we begin to pursue that salvation, there are certainly conditions that apply. Believing that we are free to sin because of God’s grace seems like sin to me.
God is the only righteous judge, and we err if we do not recognize it.
God bless you, Dave