Originally posted by @dj2becker
Is the love of God for his children conditional or unconditional? I have kids, I don’t stop loving them when they disobey me. It is this love that draws them back to me. My love is not perfect, God’s love is perfect. If I can love my kids simply on the basis that they are my kids how much more can’t God do it? Now Rajk wants to tell me that God only loves ...[text shortened]... A parent that doesn’t love their kids when they are disobedient will eventually drive them away.
I think God loves unconditionally those who have accepted Jesus Christ, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t chasten us and that certainly doesn’t mean we’ll have an easy life. But the good news is we have the strength to overcome through Christ and an eternity in heaven awaits us.
On the first point...
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
(Hebrews 12:6-11)
On the second point...
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”
(John 15:19-21)
On the third point...
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:13)