The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” -Jeremiah 31:3
For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 1:8
Love is not forcing the person to do this or that…Love means giving freedom to a person. -Anonymous
Relationships of value are always two-sided.
The relationship is mutually entered, desired, built up, and sustained through unconditional love.
You cannot demand that another person love you; it simply does not work (even if they made a vow to do so).
People are free to choose, which is why relationships can be difficult.
Yet this choice is precious because romance starts with choice. A strong marriage is built on the absolute freedom and liberty to choose. If respect for choice is lost, the romance is lost. In the freedom of choice, unconditional, sacrificial love abounds.
Free to choose
This is how Papa God has loved us in Christ. We’re free to choose not to love Him, not to kiss back, with perfect liberty and freedom. Yet everything is completed in Christ for us to enjoy. It’s a finished work that needs nothing added to it. Only our thinking needs to change to embrace the truth. That of seeing a loving and giving heavenly Father.
Our loving Father has chosen to love us at extreme cost to Himself. In this understanding, punishment and retribution have no place, now or in eternity. How could romance flourish if threats of punishment and torment are its source?
Loved unconditionally forever
I hope you choose to enjoy the love of your good and caring heavenly Father. He doesn’t demand your love but always chooses to love you. Whether you choose to love Him or not, His feelings towards you will never change. You’ll always be loved unconditionally, now and throughout all eternity.