Unconditional

Without a doubt, one of the most common mistakes that we make when we think about God is the unconditionality (is that a word? unconditionalness? I say it’s a word) of His love for us, and I think even more important, His promises to us. It’s so easy for us to fall into the trap of believing that if we screw up just one more time, His love and promises become null and void.

We think that because we try to apply our own human understanding and characteristics to God, and let’s face it, we’d have a pretty tough time forgiving someone who screwed up THAT many times. But PRAISE GOD that He is God, and we are not. Where we have limits–such as in our patience and long-suffering with people–He has none.

As I continue my foray through Genesis, I’ve come to the narrative of Jacob, who’s life story, I think, is one of the most intriguing in the Bible because we see a life that is so filled with drama and deception, and yet, so blessed by God.

Jacob was the younger of twin brothers, and his name actually means ‘deceitful.’ First, he grabbed his brother’s heel when they were being born; second, he took advantage of his brother’s state of weakness and hunger in order to acquire Esau’s birthright. Third, he tricked and lied to his father (at the urging of his mother) in order to seal his brother’s blessing, and then finally, he manipulated his father-in-laws livestock in order to strengthen and build up his own share (although, in fairness, Laban wasn’t a great father-in-law and had his own trickster ways).

Personally, as I read through Jacob’s story, I’m thinking that he’s a jerk, and he’s sure to be punished or rebuked by God (if I were reading it for the first time). But that’s not what happens.

After stealing Esau’s blessing, Jacob flees and finds himself alone in the wilderness. You would think that God would take that opportunity to give Jacob a good talking to, but instead, Jacob has a beautiful dream about a ladder to Heaven, and God promises that He is with him and will protect him. After Jacob’s dealing with Laban, God makes the same promise, and then, just a couple chapters later, God renames Jacob as Israel. That’s right–Jacob becomes the father of the entire nation of God’s elect.

Now, does this mean that God was thrilled with Jacob’s actions? Definitely not. But it does mean that God ALWAYS keeps His promises no matter what we do. When it comes down to it, believing or questioning that our standing with God is based on our actions is rooted in a spirit of religion, which is one of the most harmful lies that Satan feeds us, and while it’s universal, it’s definitely a spirit we encounter constantly in Zambia. In fact, we once encountered a pastor who believed that only people from his church denomination would go to Heaven because they partake in communion every Sunday.

The point is, no matter how much Satan tries to get us to believe otherwise, God is always with us, thanks to Jesus tearing the veil, and that’s true no matter what. God’s love, power, and presence are truly unconditional.

I’m so grateful to have a God that never gives up on me, even when I think I deserve it.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
– Jeremiah 31:3b