Does God love us unconditionally?

Question

I would like to ask that any non-christians please not respond as I am in kind of a tough spot. I do wonder if God loves us unconditionally. What does unconditional mean in this context? What does love mean in this context? For me, I just don't understand and it makes me really sad and disturbed because I feel like how can God allow a child to be brutalized (me) their entire life in all kinds of ways imaginable, and then say, oh now by the way don't do this or this or that or you're going to hell. I just feel like I can't take all the pressure, it almost feels hopeless to me. I just know I am going to keep screwing up. And how come he can't just love me and welcome me home to heaven knowing all the horrible #$@# that has been done to me? How can he put so much pressure on one person? How can that be love? Does anyone know???

Answer 1

First of all, you shouldn't feel pressure, because that's not what God is about. He does love us unconditionally, regardless of the mistakes we make. He knew we would make mistakes because we have complete freedom to do as we wish and are surrounded by negative influences. This is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. As long as we are doing what we can, and we believe in Christ and attempt to follow Him, I am convinced we will be fine. As to why some people suffer or experience horrible things in their lives, it is because of this free agency. God allows all to have this freedom and sometimes it will have a negative impact on those who are innocent. However, if God took away this agency, then He would go against His plan. By giving us complete freedom He shows us that He loves us; and if we are obedient we will be blessed. There are circumstances where God will step in and influence people or change peoples lives, but it is typically on a personal level. He also answer prayers, albeit sometimes in a way we can't comprehend or like. We are not meant to fear, but to be happy. That is His plan. We find peace in knowing we are doing what we can, but accepting that we will never be perfect. Good luck.

Answer 2

You've asked a great question....what does 'unconditional love' mean in context?

The answer is easily understood by analogy. Putting abusive situations aside, let's look at an average parent with good parenting skills. Such a parent loves his or her child unconditionally. In this context, nothing the child can do will alter the level and conviction of the love of the parent towards that child. However, AS A NECESSARY RESULT of that love, the parents establishes rules and limits and when the child misbehaves, or does something dangerous, the parent, wholly out of love, is forced to discipline the child, often with something that brings real physical or emotional pain. The parent who constantly indulges a child and never disciplines their child doesn't love them unconditionally, but rather lacks any concept of true love.

Pain, both physical and emotional, is a necessary component that shapes each person. The most successful people, by any measure one chooses, has undergone many trials and tribulations to get where they do. Those who have all obstacles removed for them, who have never known discipline are, generally speaking, society's failures.

As for the second part of your question, which can be restated as why do bad things happen to good (or innocent) people? this is a most difficult topic, especially when trying to explain the horrible lives of many innocents. Let me try to answer this, in part, with a real story. A couple I once knew tried for over ten years to have a child. Finally, after much anguish, they conceived and had a son. Unfortunately, the child was profounding disabled, both physically and mentally. Instead of dispairing, this couple not only gave their son their total attention and love (I've never seen a happier child), they also started a foundation to help other families in the same position. I asked them how they did it....they said that their son is a complete blessing. Without him, or with a normal child, they believe that they would have remained the generally selfish people they were growing up. Their son, however, taught them how to give of themselves and they found a nearly endless capacity to give. Sadly, their son passed away when he was 14, but they've remain the most giving people I've known. Through their son, they believe God gave them a test to be better people. They passed.

While this is just one example and there are literally millions that don't turn out as well, this doesn't mean that God loves us any less or loves them any less. We are all here for a purpose that only God knows. Those of us who are fortunate in life must make every effort to help those who don't have our advantages. God is a giver....and He wants us to be givers as well. As an individual, we don't have the capacity to help everyone in need. But even making one life better is a great accomplishment in this life.

Answer 3

God does love us unconditionally, even when we "screw up". God knows, I have "screwed up" enough in my life as well. I still believe God hears me when I pray and forgives me when I ask Him to.
I believe God knows the difference of when we are actually trying and when we intentionally ignore Him and follow our own path. Jesus' teachings show that we should love the sinner but hate the sin. Just like your parents, God wants the best for his "children", despite what you hear on this site from some people. And just like a parent will discipline a child to keep him out of trouble, God does the same thing.
I know it doesn't seem right that God would allow terrible things to happen to people. I have asked the same thing before. In reality, other people usually are to blame for a person's brutal treatment...people that have no concern for God or anyone else but themselves.
I don't have even a fraction of all the answers, but I don't stop asking God on a daily basis in hopes that He will give me a clue. I feel that He has answered some.

Answer 4

first off it's sad that you asked non-christians to not respond. do you think that non-christians have it better and have never been abused or felt concern about where they're going like you are? that is completely unfair.

God created you to learn life's lessons and help others. No matter what you might think or have been taught you ARE NOT GOING TO HELL. He did not create you to destroy you in the end. You're endless worrying is not helping you. Let go of the fear of sin and hell and draw in the knowledge of his love and power. You cannot hang onto man's views of your life. You will beat yourself up all the time with man's word. Look deep within and you will find there is a spot where God dwells and will always be there to help and guide. God sees the big picture.

Hang on and things will get better...you'll see.

Answer 5

John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." That is the meaning of unconditional love. As for all the horrible abuse that has been done to you, He WILL NOT hold that against YOU, for you are innocent of that, all the blame goes onto the head of the abusers [and Lucifer, the devil] and God WILL punish them in due time, for "Vengeance is mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them." Deuteronomy 32:35. Also, in Romans 12:19 it is written, "..."Vengeance is Mine, I will repay", says the Lord".
It sounds like you blame yourself for what has been [and likely IS being done to you] and that you are 'screwing up' and I say again, it ISN'T YOU who is screwing up! My best advice is if you can find a Pentecostal Church, or any mainstream church believing in the Trinity, you will find people who care about you enough to listen to you and help you where you are, while I can't do that on the Internet. As much as I'd like to. God is not the one who is putting pressure on you, believe me, He doesn't do that, He is a healer and a helper so that He may be glorified in helping you. May God richly bless you when you come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

God does love us unconditionally. He loves what He has created. However, He hates our sinful ways. There's a difference. For Ex: A childs parent will love that child no matter what that child does, but the parent dislikes it when their child disobeys him/her and choose to do wrong. Because of the love that parent has for the child, the child will be chastened. Any parent that loves their child will chasten them.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never dies, and most importantly God is Love.

You have to realize that you're not the only person in this world who went through what you went through or are going through. Why did God "allow" His only Son Jesus be bruised, beaten, spit on, whipped, cruicified, etc...? Well, Jesus said He went through what He went so that you could have eternal life, hope, & peace (abundant life). Would you ever go through something like that for someone else? Even if you knew that they would probably reject you.

Answer 7

yes, He does love YOU unconditionally..
no if's, no and's, no but's.
unconditionally means no matter what you say, no matter what you do or do not do, God still loves YOU totally without conditions..
His love for YOU is never diminished.
God know you are going to "keep screwing up".
you are human.
only God is perfect.
you are wrong to blame God for the human condition.
that is the fault of humans and their refusal to acknowledge God.
God does not send people to Hell.
they send themselves.....by choice.
perhaps the pressure you feel is God working in your life,
convicting your soul, so that you, someday, will seek Him out with an open heart.
when you finally come to the place where you are truly seeking God.....
God will find you.
John 3: The Words of Jesus Christ (God in the flesh)
3. "Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4. Nicodemus saith unto Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
5. Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18. He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Answer 8

He absolutely loves us UNCONDITIONALLY, there's no doubt.
I was also abused as a child mentally, physically, emotionally and had the same question at one time but now that I see God's hand moving I can definitely attest to God's unconditional Love, I've commited some pretty bad sins of my own, but because I aksed God for forgiveness and had a repentant heart God has showed me mercy (over & over). If you are having trouble with screwing up ask God with a SINCERE HEART for forgiveness and HE WILL HELP YOU, I GUARANTEE IT!!!

Answer 9

my conclusion is based on the simple fact, that he requires faith and repentance as one level of requirement for salvation, despite the gospel saying that we are saved by grace and rewarded for good works.
Although God loves the whole world, he does not Permit SiN or cannot look upon sin at all. whereas Jesus became sin and God could not look upon him, and if the world is completely void of faith and righteousness when Jesus returns Everything will be destroyed, All things that offend will become like ashes under the feet of the resurrected.
So, i dont know that God does have unconditional love. from just these couple statements, I can see that there are conditions. !

Answer 10

First of all. We where all created in Gods Image. Now that being said he gave all of us a brain that is different. I like to think that my God is an awesome god. That s the key. My God may not be your God. Regardless walk the path your God sets before you and you should do ok. So long as you have been taught right from wrong and have some righteous up bring.