Rodolpho always has the best questions. Who knew that under those curly locks and behind the teasing smile hides a world of insightful contemplation. This week's question was,
- "Is God's love unconditional?"
- "Of course," I answered without hesitation.
- "But is God's love universal?"
Ha. Good one. That would mean that Christ's love will redeem all, independent of whether we acknowledge him or not.
I would say, though, that God's love is far greater than final redemption. Love does not equal salvation. His love is unconditional - Jesus will always always always love equally - the one who receives his love and the one who doesn't. His sun rises on both wicked and righteous, as the Word says. In order to experience his love you do not need to die with him. He will love to lavish his goodness on anybody. (And he does.)
(I saw Finger of God last weekend and there was an interesting part where Heidi Baker wanted to pray for a Muslim woman somewhere in Eastern Europe, but the translating pastor was trying to push for the woman to "receive Christ" before the praying could take place. Heidi fought to make him translate that she only wanted to bless this woman. Sounds like unconditional love to me.)
Love is unconditional. Salvation, on the other hand, is contingent upon a person receiving the gift and opening it.
But also, one can argue that the giving of love is unconditional, and it is possible to reject (an act of) love. Does that make love any less?