Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (ESV)
Many relationships in this world have been destroyed when conditions are placed on them. It happens daily – someone makes a choice and someone else is not happy about it which in turn results in the unhappiness of the person who made the choice. As time goes by, the hurt grows and eventually the relationship is severed unless an attempt is made to repair it. When an attempt is made, it can either end up with a restored relationship or one that is broken.
Relationships can be broken because of the conditions we put on our love. Your parents may not like your lifestyle or the person you have chosen to marry, for example, but cutting your ties to them is not the right thing to do. It is putting a condition on your love e.g. you will only love them if they agree with you. In a way, it shows a selfishness and love is not selfish.
Showing love is accepting the fact that we all must live our own lives. People should learn to accept and understand other people’s beliefs and choices. We need to wait patiently and work slowly towards a compromise. Don’t close the door just because neither party likes the decision made by the other. The world isn’t perfect and there is no way that everybody will be happy with what everybody does.
Love is a two-way street. We need to let others know that even though we may not agree on everything, but we will still be there for them. It is an example that has been set by Jesus. He loves us unconditionally even though there are things we do that He doesn’t like. Our choices have caused Him heartbreak and sadness, but He doesn’t close the door on us. More often than not, it is us who closes the door on Him.
The conditions we place on our faith and love for Jesus has been responsible for many people falling away. We will only love and obey Him if He gives us this, this, and this. There is no mention of us doing anything in return. It is all about taking and not giving back in return, insisting that we get our own way, just like we do in the relationships we have with other people.
Jesus wants us to show unconditional love to both Him and to those in our world. While you may not agree with the way your family member is living their life, you should show them that you still care for them. You and your loved one may have to ignore each other choices that you don’t like for a time until you can talk openly about it but never ever close the door because of them.
Love is all about being patient and kind. Setting a condition on your love for someone is all about getting your own way and it is something that Jesus would never want you to do. Always keep the door open and condition free to show someone that you love them no matter what.