Introduction: What we call LOVE today is mostly CONDITIONAL. The real test of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE is when we are treated badly, disrespectfully, and even ugly! Yet, our Lord has called us to a higher calling…. To LOVE even our enemies!

“43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” (Matt 5:43-46)

Of course, this does not negate the consequences of wrongdoing on their (your enemy) part. But it does give us PEACE and SECURITY in God’s wonderful LOVE. There is true FREEDOM when we are not bound down with bitterness and resentment,  which zaps us of spiritual sustenance.

1. LOVE DEFINED!

“7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1John 4:7-11)

God’s nature is LOVE. That is the origin of LOVE. Without God, there is no LOVE. He proved His great LOVE.

“8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (1John 3:1)

2. LOVE DESCRIBED!

“4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (1Cor 13:4-7)

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE is not SELFISH, rude… 

The word “bears” is στέγω (steg’-o), which means cover, conceal, ward off, bear with, endure patiently.

The word “endure” is ὑπομένω: (hoop-om-en’-o), which means remain behind, I stand my ground, show endurance, endure, bear up against, persevere.

3. LOVE DETERMINED!

“8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1Pet 4:8)

The word “fervent” is ἐκτενής,(ek-ten-ace’), which means intent, constant, strenuous, intense; met: earnest, zealous.

4. LOVE DESIGNATED!

“25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Eph 5:25)

“33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Eph 5:33)

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Col 3:9-14)

Conclusion: How can we show UNCONDITIONAL LOVE in a hateful world? By defining, describing, and designating the great LOVE of our Lord JESUS, we can live and LOVE in FREEDOM.

Praise the Lord! We have FREEDOM to LOVE!