Why do so many who study the Bible, read about all the conditions God requires for us to gain life, insist that God loves unconditionally?

They are separate issues. His love for all is not related to the issue of conditions or requirements.

Is is very like a family; where the parents love the children unconditionally - and will continue to do so even if the child rejects what the parents have taught is right.

They are separate issues. His love for all is not related to the issue of conditions or requirements.

Is is very like a family; where the parents love the children unconditionally - and will continue to do so even if the child rejects what the parents have taught is right.

So what are we to do with the scriptures which tell us that he requires us to behave in a certain way in order for us to gain eternal life or otherwise we will be destroyed?

What happens after death is dictated by our choices here on earth, so I'm not understanding what you mean by "what are we to do with" scripture that warns us of consequences of our choices.

What happens after death is dictated by our choices here on earth, so I'm not understanding what you mean by "what are we to do with" scripture that warns us of consequences of our choices.


So if you agree that after death there is a judgement based on our choices, then you have to agree that there are expectations and conditions that we have to adhere to in order to avoid being judged to be unworthy--right?

About the scriptures, there are many which tell us to behave ourselves or else we will be deemed unworthy of eternal life. Those are the scriptures I am referring to.

BTW
God doesn't consider those who follow Satan wilfully by choosing sin his children. By choosing sin they become children of Satan instead.

1 John 3:10
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

KJV

God does love us, and loves us no matter, but of course that is why he sent his Son to die, so that our choices of sin can be overcome.

But unless we accept the gift God gives us, which requires "repentance" and acceptance.

The bible is one complete book, not merely a chinese menu that you can choose one from this verse and another meaning from another verse, it all works together.

Why do so many who study the Bible, read about all the conditions God requires for us to gain life, insist that God loves unconditionally?


They do so because the conditions are set out there for all to see.

"If you love me, keep my commandments"
"Why callest thou me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?"
"Not everyone who sayeth Lord, Lord shall enter into my kingdom, but he who doeth the will of my father which is in heaven"
"wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
"He that heareth my words, and doeth them shall be likened unto a man that built his house upon a rock."
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

Of what good are our faith, our repentance, our baptism, and all the sacred ordinances of the gospel by which we have been made ready to receive the blessings of the Lord, if we fail, on our part, to keep his commandments? If we fail to act, or to do the work which God has required of us, we are little better than those who have not received the principles and ordinances of the gospel. We have only started, and when we rest there, we are not following our faith by our works, and are under condemnation; our salvation is not attained. We have built our house upon the sands because we have heard the words of Jesus but we have not done them.



M:)RGANITE

God does love us, and loves us no matter, but of course that is why he sent his Son to die, so that our choices of sin can be overcome.

But unless we accept the gift God gives us, which requires "repentance" and acceptance.

The bible is one complete book, not merely a chinese menu that you can choose one from this verse and another meaning from another verse, it all works together.


If it all works together why are you ignoring the scriptures which clearly point out that God requires righteous behavior in order to gain life eternal?
This is what I can't understand.

Because he sent his son to die for use.

Because he sent his son to die for use.

Then why did his son say we need to obey his commandments if these commandments make no difference? Actually, Jesus said that those producing bad fruit would be tossed into the fire. The bad fruit is bad conduct. So how am I to understand this as being unconditional?

Hi,
God's love is unconditional; love for everyone. He gives everyone a chance to be Saved. Repent and be Baptized is the way to be Saved, and receive Salvation. Some religious denominations don't believe in Baptism, some do.
In order to understand any particular religion, means one has to attend it's services, learn about it.

Before I write what I have in mind, I wish to stress out, again, that I'm a jew, and I hold myself as being ignorant to Christian issues.
After looking closely at the original question, I reached the conclusion that I may join the discussion here, because the question mentions "the Bible", and doesn't explicitly refer to the NT.
I can only say what I think. In my point of view, all we need to do in order to have a healthy society is to follow the ten commandments. I think these are like the spinal chord for human behavior. I'm not overlooking the rest God's books of law - all I'm saying that here are the most important things.
I regard God's love as unconditional. And by this I mean that God loves all - without regard of their religion.
God tells us how we are supposed to conduct ourselves.
As has been (wisely) already pointed out, parents give unconditional love to their offspring, but still educate them.
If a parent doesn't educate his children, if the parent indulges whatever they do, they will grow up as sociopaths- AND THIS IS NOT PARENTAL LOVE!
There's an old Hebrew word of wisdom which is considered to represent the most important thing of our religion, it's "core",in one sentence:
"love the other like you love yourself"
I know I haven't translated it accurately, but I hope it's message got through.
Millie

....
if a parent doesn't educate his children, if the parent indulges whatever they do, they will grow up as sociopaths- AND THIS IS NOT PARENTAL LOVE!


So not to require right conduct is to be unloving. So God requires right conduct otherwise he punishes. At least that's the message that is repeated in both OT and NT. Anyone who reads the NT and reaches the conclusion that God doesn't punish sin is actually writing his own version of the Bible. Something that is very dangerous to do.


Revelation 22:


18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

BTW
This is not an isolated scripture it's merely one among hundreds that stresses the same obedience importance.

Starman!
I can't imagine how you reached this conclusion from the things I wrote!I never said anything about God not punishing sins!
What I wrote was a comment on what fred wrote previously:

Hi,
God's love is unconditional; love for everyone. He gives everyone a chance to be Saved. Repent and be Baptized is the way to be Saved, and receive Salvation. services, learn .
I was referring to the OT: baptism is not mentioned there as a way to salvation!
AND I MENTIONED I'M NOT DISCUSSING THE NT BECAUSE OF MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE NT!

Actually, I don't see the relevance of what yo wrote to what I previously had!
Mille

Starman!
i can't imagine how you reached this conclusion from the things i wrote!i never said anything about God not punishing sins!
what i wrote was a comment on what fred wrote previously:

i was referring to the OT: baptism is not mentioned there as a way to salvation!
AND I MENTIONED I'M NOT DISCUSSING THE NT BECAUSE OF MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE NT!

actually, i don't see the relevance of what yo wrote to what i previously had!
Mille

Sorry Milliec!

My comment was meant as a reference to those persons who ignore where God clearly tells us he punishes wickedness. I should have clarified that since it's easy to misunderstand over the internet who one is referring to. Or better still, I should have mentioned it apart from you post. My apologies for the confusion caused by my thoughtlessness. Promise won't happen again.
Still friends? : )

BTW
I agree with your comment.

Still friends? : )


Of course Starman!
Millie :)
AND I highly appreciate people who apologize when mistaken
Thanks!
m.

GOD"S love is unconditional because he loves us whether we sin or not and he forgives us our sins if we ask and do better.:cool:

GOD"S love is unconditional because he loves us whether we sin or not and he forgives us our sins if we ask and do better.:cool:


So what do you propose we do with the scriptures in which he tells us he will destroy those who persist in sinning and where he tells us that the wicked are children of the devil and will share his fate--destruction?

If you have ask for forgiveness and try your best to follow a better path you shouldn't have to worry about burning in hell so I would imagine those scriptures would not apply to you anymore would they? I personally don't follow the scriptures of any bible, but that doesn't mean I don't respect those that do.:cool: :)

If you have ask for forgiveness and try your best to follow a better path you shouldn't have to worry about burning in hell so I would imagine those scriptures would not apply to you anymore would they? I personally don't follow the scriptures of any bible, but that doesn't mean I don't respect those that do.:cool: :)

So I understand you are saying that the conditions are to ask for forgiveness and try our best. Otherwise we should worry because we might lose out on life because we are not meeting God's conditions for salvation.

BTW
I am not assuming that you are disrespecting others because of differences of opinion.

I personally as a humble human try to live a good healthy life to the best of my ability, but as all of us do there are times we fall short, but I try to get back on the path. And as for worrying about my salvation, I don't think that I ever have, to be honest, hmmm! I guess I'm so caught up in this life that I don't really think about what will come when this body dies. My main concern is what I do here on earth and looking back I would hardly be mistaken for an angel The God that I understand has forgiven my past and I have forgiven myself so as I move down the path I can give it my best effort. My God will judge my salvation.(SEE MY AVATAR) :cool: ;)

I merely wished to express my agreement with Talaniman's last 2 posts.
And I'd like to add:
I never label actions as "sins" - it sound so heavy for a human being to bear!
People make mistakes - we're not angels!
The important thing is to recognize the mistake, apologize, and take good care that it won't be repeated in the future.
Life is a neverending learning process.
The point is to learn our lessons - to be honest with ourselves and the others, and to do our best, with all our heart.
As to the question about sins , punishment and unconditional love?
Parents love thir children unconditionally, yet they still have to discipline them in order to educate them
You don't need hell for that, just a well developed conscience
Millie

I think the word is Agape love. God loves us for no reason. We were created in His image and He loves us.
When we become born again our salvation is sealed unless we commit the unforgivable sin of denying the Holy Spirit.

However, whether we are saved or not and indulge in sin, we are going to pay the consequences in THIS LIFE along the way for the sin.
Being saved makes one more conscious of sinful thought as not to dwell and act on that thought.

Hoped that helped !