For the love of God!
At first glance, it may seem pointless to revisit the reasons for Jesus' coming among us, but there is one angle of approach I wish to emphasize, because its importance seems to have been overlooked. We take it for granted that God loves us, but understanding what makes him do so would be nice too. Rather than blissfully accepting what seems to have become a popular consensus, wouldn't it be better to question ourselves from other angles?
An unhealthy tendency leads many to believe in so-called unconditional love; but I challenge anyone to put this belief to the test, to discover that no such love exists. Imagine yourself in the company of the person you believe you love unconditionally, and then ask yourself how long this person could torture you psychologically and/or physically, before the love you feel for him or her finally dissipates completely. Then the concept of unconditional love would take on a whole new perspective in your mind, and perhaps you'll let it go. Even simpler, how many couples believe they'll love each other forever, and then either divorce or hate each other? It's more often women who entertain this myth in their minds, but just think about how long the children they've brought into the world could abuse them before they stop loving them. In such circumstances, any sane person will sooner than later realize that unconditional love is a myth. Circumstances force us to modify our preconceived ideas, in order to adapt to realities that first seemed impossible.
Any kind of love needs to be nurtured in order to endure over time. It's not a defect on our part, nor a blemish caused by sin; it's simply a reality that's part of our DNA because it was introduced into it by our Creator, who does not love unconditionally. He’s not stupid, and no one can take advantage of him while despising or hating him. His love is great, as great as the character himself, but not unlimited and certainly not unconditional, and don't be disappointed, or else be it also from yourself.
His last creation which would be us, he found good when he fashioned it, but soon enough he regretted having done so, (Genesis 6:6, 7). Then he resolved to exterminate this creature, with the exception of one person who still found favor in his eyes, Noah. In this way, the only righteous person in God's eyes saved his entire family, who would otherwise also have perished in the waters of the flood. Later, when God brings the Jews out of the land of Egypt, after many miracles and cares for them, he wants to see if they have understood anything, if what he has done for them is appreciated, or if they will continue to take him for granted. So he remains silent for a while, and the response comes quickly. There's a clamor among the people, they want to go back to Egypt. It’s not easy for a captive spirit to face freedom. After several attempts to see if they realize what he's doing for them, each time disappointed and not only that, but they continue to ignore his expectations while crying out to him whenever a need arises, only for him to meet their needs which at times are more akin to whims. Obviously, the Jews didn’t want God to rule over them, they wanted to be like any other pagan people, so God decided to exterminate them, and start all over again with the only one who then finds favor in his eyes, Moses. Moses pleads for the people and wins their case, but the reprieve he obtained gave them more time to push him to the brink of exasperation, and make him sin in such a way that he never entered the Promised Land.
God's deceptions with his chosen people continue and rage for millennia. He does good to his people while they reject him. Ungrateful Jews, aren't they? Well, we're even worse nowadays. Then, as promised comes the Messiah who teaches all, explains all, endures all, bears all with love and is treated like a criminal of the worst kind. Here we've really surpassed ourselves in doing evil deeds. I would, however, like to point out a statement he made before being entrusted to our care to be tortured. One day he spoke of a carnage and catastrophe that had occurred, saying: "Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish", (Luke 13:1 to 5).
Yes God loves us, yes he forgives, but there comes a time when he's fed up with our hearts of stone. That's when no one can intercede on anyone's behalf, as long as his anger flares up. Then said the Lord unto me: "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people, cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth !", (Jeremiah 15:1). How can this not be heartbreaking? How can we not love God who’s done it all for us and still does?
Jesus sure came to save, but save whom? Because no man will be spared by virtue of his own merits, which are non-existent. Only Christ has merits before the Creator. Only Jesus has done everything perfectly, and it is by virtue of his own merits that he accepts to welcome us into his Kingdom. So, if we're interested in taking part in his Kingdom, isn't it time we joined him? To make ourselves known to him while there's still time? Only one religion recognizes these facts, and it's the one most persecuted, because those who follow the devil are instructed not to waste time with souls that are already lost. If at the start of a rally, your car and another are the only ones not to crash into the forest, will you be worried about the cars that are out of contention, or wouldn’t you rather pay attention to the only one that can deprive you of the victory?
So, let us not be fooled by a Church that nowadays teaches that we can do pretty much anything and God will forgive, because he might not. The most important key to God’s love is obedience to him, it is not carelessness nor is it abusing his patience.