How many of us are brought up believing that God's love is unconditional? I am. Well, it is not without condition all the time. At least the bible didn't put it that way.
Disturbing? Yes, it is.
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 15:10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Conditional expression can be written in "If [certain condition exists] , then [the consequence follow]".
Matthew 5:43-5
43 You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 4 4But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
This time, his love is unconditional but it is true according to the bible that God do hate some of us.
Psalm 5:4-6
4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.6 You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.
Psalm 11:5-6
5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. 6 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
So, God is love is acceptable but God's love is unconditional certainly is not. Thought provoking.
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