Unconditional Response

Last night at Bible Study,  we were discussing Mark 12:28 - 34.  One thing our leader said really struck me.  He said,

" This love for God is our unconditional response to God's unconditional love for us"

We often hear preachers talk about God's love for us, but I don't often hear them talk about our ongoing, daily, response to God.  This is a T-O-U-G-H love to carry out on a daily basis.  And the thing that I think truly struck me about his statement is that it is an UNCONDITIONAL response.  This command from God does not carry a promise with it.  He does not say that if you love me I will make your life easy (i.e. prosperity Gospel).  He does not say that if you love me I will grant your desires.  He does not say that if you love me I will take you out of the tough places. 

He just says - "Love me."

He does promise to walk with us through the tough places - just as he was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace.  He does promise us a place to live in heaven.  He does promise to reward us in heaven for our dedication to Him here on Earth. 

But, too many times, when life gets tough, we have a tendency to blame God and walk away from him.  I have even heard story after story of Christians being told by other Christians that they must not be doing something right, or that there must be sin in their life, or that they haven't prayed enough or that the path they have chosen must not have been God's plan, just because they are walking through a valley.  What a shame!  The very people that should be lifting us up are the ones that cause us to doubt God and his love for us.   I believe this is a result of the easy Gospel that we in America have been taught for the last 50 years.  Have they not read the story of Job, or Paul in jail, or John who was exiled to the island of Patmos, or Joseph who was sold into slavery and served time in jail?  Were these men in the Bible outside of God's plan?  I don't think so. 

I know it is hard to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."  But it is a commandment.  I need to strive to obey this commandment - regardless of my circumstances. 

Right now, things are going very well at our house, but I know the tough times ARE coming.  I just pray that I can remember to Love God just as much even then.