Conditional or Unconditional

At Fellowship Church, we have Lifeline groups (small groups for Bible study & fellowship). Our Lifeline group met Saturday afternoon. Everyone was not able to attend, but those who did, had a wonderful time together. During our discussion of the previous weeks sermon on "The Table"(the church), about being served and serving, someone asked an interesting question. A question, that we all pondered on and searched the scripture for answers. The question, as best I can remember it, was "Why do, people in the church, get mad, give up and walk away?" Especially, when, it's not about them, it's about "HIM". We tossed around a few ideas, of what we thought and what we felt the scriptures said, and came up with this answer.............It is because of "service with expectation". In John 13:34, Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." What is it about this command, that makes it different or a new command? Were we not already commanded in the Old Testament to love our neighbor's, as ourselves. this is what Leviticus 19:18 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Do you see the difference in the 2 verses? In John 13:34, he says to love others, as HE loved you. In Lev. 19:18, it says love one another, as you love yourself. How did "He", "Jesus" love, HE loved , (here it is, are you ready?) UNCONDITIONALLY!!!! How do we often love ourselves, it's often time CONDITIONAL, isn't it? Well, I would love myelf better if I weren't so fat, or if I wasn't so shy, if I could sing good, blah, blah, blah, and the list goes on! When we, love others as ourselves, we love with expectations. We expect to be loved back, we expect to be noticed, we expect to recieve the affirmation ,we believe we deserve and again the list goes on. The thing that makes the commandment in John 13:34 new, is we are now commanded to love others unconditonally. Just like Jesus loved unconditionally, just like he served others unconditionally. He did not, at any time, during his ministry, serve anyone, with the expectation of recieving anything in return, for his service. Some examples of serving with expectation:

1. serving to be noticed or to recieve recognition
2. to be in control
3. to desire to be in authority and the need for power
4. it'll look good on my resume'
5. to try to mask or cover up failure to be obedient

I could go on, but I won't!

The point is, when we (the church), stop serving with expectation and start serving & loving unconditionally, that's when we will be unified and make a difference in God's Kingdom and not until then!

Start today out, by examining your reasons for serving others, do you expect anything in return, or are you serving because you unconditionally love others and expect nothing in return, not even a thank you.

I'll leave you with this thought provoking verse;

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15