The most important Kingdom Living principle is unconditional love.
“Unconditional Love: Unconditional love is NOT a feeling! It IS a choice, a decision, and an act of the will. It means bringing to bear ALL the resources God has given us to meet the needs of another person with NO expectation of anything in return.”
-Micheal Faris
Expand Reflection -By Tim Faris:
Unconditional love is a selfless, sacrificial, and unwavering commitment to care for and support another person, regardless of their actions, circumstances, or flaws. It is a love that is not based on conditions, expectations, or reciprocation. Instead, it is characterized by the following qualities:
1. A Choice and an Act of the Will
- Unconditional love is not dependent on fleeting emotions or feelings. It is a conscious decision to act in the best interest of someone else, even when it’s challenging.
2. Selflessness
- It puts the needs, well-being, and growth of the other person above personal desires or gain.
3. Acceptance
- It embraces and values the person for who they are, without judgment or the need for them to change to meet certain standards.
4. Sacrifice
- It often requires giving of time, energy, resources, or personal comfort for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return.
5. Forgiveness
- It extends grace and forgives offenses, understanding that love goes beyond mistakes or shortcomings.
6. Compassion and Empathy
- It is marked by a deep sense of care and understanding for the other person’s struggles, joys, and needs.
In the context of faith, unconditional love reflects God’s love for humanity—a love that is constant, unwavering, and given freely regardless of merit. This type of love calls for giving of oneself entirely, drawing on the resources and strength provided by faith to meet the needs of others without seeking anything in return.
Every human needs four things:
Love, Expectance, Significance, and Security.
The combination of the four combine is Peace!
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Gods Gift is peace of mind!
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
When a person is operating out of unconditional love they will express the fruit of the spirit as a byproduct.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You must pursue Peace!
“Grace: Is the divine character of God given to his children.”
Grace give you two things:
- The desire to do whats right
- The power to to do right
Further Reflection In Terms of Christmas and Unconditional Love
The most important Kingdom Living principle is unconditional love, and there is no better season to embody this than Christmas.
Unconditional Love in the Christmas Season:
Christmas is a time to reflect on God’s ultimate act of unconditional love—the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. This gift wasn’t given because we earned it or deserved it, but out of pure love and grace. It’s a reminder that love isn’t about what we can get, but what we can give freely, expecting nothing in return.
Here’s how we can live out unconditional love during the Christmas season:
1. Giving Without Expecting 🎁
- Christmas gifts are a tradition, but true giving goes beyond presents under the tree. Offer your time, attention, or help to someone in need. Volunteer at a shelter, visit the lonely, or lend a hand to someone struggling during the holidays.
2. Showing Grace and Forgiveness ❤️
- The holidays can bring family together, but they can also remind us of old wounds. Choose to forgive and extend grace, even if it’s difficult. Love is choosing peace and reconciliation over resentment.
3. Loving the Unlovable 🌟
- Jesus showed us how to love the outcasts, the overlooked, and the forgotten. Look for ways to reach out to those who might feel left out this season—whether it’s a neighbor, coworker, or stranger.
4. Meeting the Needs of Others 🤲
- True unconditional love means using all the resources God has given us to serve others. It could be as simple as sharing a meal with someone or as significant as helping someone through a financial or emotional burden.
5. Embodying the Spirit of Christmas ✨
- At its core, Christmas is about celebrating the love of Christ. Reflect that love by being kind, patient, and generous, not just with those close to you, but with everyone you encounter.
A Season of Love
Unconditional love is the heart of Christmas. It’s about more than decorations, feasts, or gifts—it’s about giving of yourself to meet the needs of others. As we celebrate this season, let’s remember to make love our most cherished gift, following the example of the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas! 🎄💖