Is God's Love Unconditional? Four Perspectives

How many times have you read or heard it said: "God's love is unconditional."  The Bible says that God created us in his image (Gen1:27), that God is love (1Jn4:8), and that he sent his only son to die for us because of his great love (Jn3:16).  Surely, therefore, God's love is unconditional ... right?  Or is it?  Does God's love come with strings attached; certain costs and conditions imposed on us?  Here are four possible answers.

1. Yes
2. Yes, but
   
3. Yes and no
   
4. No

Which response, in your view, comes closest to the understanding of God's love that is presented by the Scriptures?

The statements posted below (you can click on the linked text for more information) summarize these four perspectives on God's love.

Yes ...

GotQuestions

God’s love, as described in the Bible, is clearly unconditional in that His love is expressed toward the objects of His love (i.e., His people) despite their disposition toward Him. ... The unconditional nature of God’s love is most clearly seen in the gospel. The gospel message is basically a story of divine rescue.  Read more ...

Yes, but ...

John Piper | desiringGod

There is such a thing as unconditional love in God, but it’s not what most people mean by it.  Read more ... 

Yes and No ...

Kermit Zarley Blog

Yes and no. First of all, what is it? Unconditional love is the acceptance of a person without him or her meeting any conditions. In other words, it means having affection for someone without establishing limitations. So, unconditional love means loving someone irrespective of that person’s behavior.  This popular idea of unconditional love is quite contrary to much of what God says in the Bible.   Read more ...

No ... 

R.C. Sproul > Ligonier Ministries

It has become fashionable in evangelical circles to speak somewhat glibly of the unconditional love of God. ... Where in Scripture do we find this notion of the unconditional love of God? If God’s love is absolutely unconditional, why do we tell people that they have to repent and have faith in order to be saved? God sets forth clear conditions for a person to be saved. .... In Christ, the obstacle of estrangement is overcome, and we are reconciled to God. But that reconciliation extends only to believers. Those who reject Christ remain at enmity with God, estranged from God, and objects both of His wrath and of His abhorrence.  Read more ...