Think about all of the relationships you've had in your life. Some are healthy, and some aren't. I think every person has, or will have, that one person who hurts them more than anyone else. Sometimes we love people even though we have no reason to. Loving that certain human being goes against all logic and reasoning. Yet you love them anyways. You love someone who tore your life apart. Love someone who takes advantage of you and manipulates you without feeling remorse. Love someone who doesn't love you back. Why do we torture ourselves for people who don't appreciate it? for people who wouldn't do the same? There can only be one answer: UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
What is this so called unconditional love? Many people say this without fully comprehending the meaning or weight of these words. This means that no matter what someone says or does to you, your feelings will not be swayed and you love them just the same. You will always forgive them for their follies and wrong doings. Unconditional love is the way that God loves YOU.
What does it mean that God loves you unconditionally? No matter what you do, how much you sin, how much you turn away, He will love you just the same.
The Bible tells you to love everyone as you love yourself.
"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
- Mark 12: 31
Without God, this is humanely impossible. Why? Because God is love.
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4: 8
Love comes from God. He wants you to love others as He has loved you. This means you have to love others unconditionally, and you cannot do this without God.34\ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13: 34-35
I've seen people love unconditionally. Honestly, at first it seems irrational. Why forgive someone for hurting you over and over? What's the point in that? Shouldn't you know better than to keep making yourself vulnerable again and again? No, you shouldn't know better. Just because you love someone unconditionally does not make you weak, stupid, or mean you love blindly. It means you're a strong person who can love others the way that God loves you. It means you can find it in your heart to forgive others despite the fact that they may never change or be sorry for what they did. It means you can sleep at night with a light heart.
Have you ever had someone that you find it hard to love unconditionally? Personally, I have. It's someone I used to be very close with, and their actions have made it difficult to even think about them without wanting to vomit. Over time I was able to forgive them. At first it seems impossible. Believe it or not, it gets easier the more you try. It takes effort and willingness. I will never expect them to change, but I love them regardless of what they say or do. This is the meaning of unconditional love.
