Dear Worthless Cockroach I hope you don’t mind me following up our conversation with an open letter like this, but I’m sure you’re not the only one who feels like you do. Let me see if I’m capturing your question. I think what you’re saying is this:
Hi Tony, I was going write questioning he term "unconditional love" but others have done so already and you have replied wisely. I would therefore simply make this comment: God's love for his people is better than "unconditional love" it is "eternal love" - Jeremiah 31:3. In this we can find great assurance.
This was really helpful! I have thought so long and hard about total depravity I had actually genuinely forgotten that God might have made me with some value in the first place.
There's a vast difference, IMHO, between being unworthy (which we all are) and being worthless. Jesus died for sinners, and for the lost, and for the unworthy. why would he die for the worthless?
Of all the articles Ian sent through this week, this was the one I clicked on because when my thoughts are warpy, this is one of the dungeons into which I descend. 'I'm so disgusting, pathetic, worthless and useless that the Son of God had to face the cross to rescue me. Why go around today pretending to be valuable?' God brought the sparrows of Matt 10 to mind as I watched seagulls the other day and wondered (with Larry Crabb) whether I had any 'security' and/or 'significance' (I think this is Crabb's summary of what every human person needs...) apart from God's redemption. I think with the bobbing seagulls I remembered that I did- worth more than many of them- but perhaps eternal/spiritual/permanent 'security' comes only with redemption in Christ? And there is a new significance to life in genuinely being invited to help others see how great he is and simply to live a life of love.
Anyway, thanks for the article Tony addressing this question! It's funny to see in myself a much greater encouragement to be thought valuable like sparrows (or seagulls) rather than like cockroaches!
Thanks for the quick reply. If I understand you correctly and I don’t think I did first time so I’m going to read and listen again (concurrently), I’m not sure if this rests easy with the rest of scripture but then as I said not sure I’ve understood you ‘right’. I’ve read and listened to you lots for many years so confident it will make sense when I read again. Thanks brother
I wonder if Gods love is actually “better than unconditional” as David Powlison writes? Unconditional has a bit of “loving us as we are and leaving us as we are” idea to many folks; whereas “better than unconditional” connotes more of a “lifting love” or “changing us” kind of love.
Thank you, Tony! I caught wind of your work through Phillip Jensens talks- through YouTube. I have enjoyed your thoughts, Thus far. I have sincerely appreciated The gentleness and grace you use when expressing, truth in scripture. I pray You continue to grow in his grace and love.
Dear Dad. Great post today. Rich in the gospel of God's love, so very edifying. Just a question (a kind of heretical one which I've always thought are the best kind). I've often wondered whether 'unconditional' is the right word to describe God's love given this special love of God that's in Christ is only for those who repent of their sins (through his mercy, of course). What do you think? Is there a difference between"unmerited" and "unconditional", for example? Curiously. From a loved cockroach.
Appreciate your thoughtfulness and care in dealing with our weaknesses and foibles, Tony. But could have lived without the photo.
Hi Tony, I was going write questioning he term "unconditional love" but others have done so already and you have replied wisely. I would therefore simply make this comment: God's love for his people is better than "unconditional love" it is "eternal love" - Jeremiah 31:3. In this we can find great assurance.
This was really helpful! I have thought so long and hard about total depravity I had actually genuinely forgotten that God might have made me with some value in the first place.
There's a vast difference, IMHO, between being unworthy (which we all are) and being worthless. Jesus died for sinners, and for the lost, and for the unworthy. why would he die for the worthless?
Of all the articles Ian sent through this week, this was the one I clicked on because when my thoughts are warpy, this is one of the dungeons into which I descend. 'I'm so disgusting, pathetic, worthless and useless that the Son of God had to face the cross to rescue me. Why go around today pretending to be valuable?' God brought the sparrows of Matt 10 to mind as I watched seagulls the other day and wondered (with Larry Crabb) whether I had any 'security' and/or 'significance' (I think this is Crabb's summary of what every human person needs...) apart from God's redemption. I think with the bobbing seagulls I remembered that I did- worth more than many of them- but perhaps eternal/spiritual/permanent 'security' comes only with redemption in Christ? And there is a new significance to life in genuinely being invited to help others see how great he is and simply to live a life of love.
Anyway, thanks for the article Tony addressing this question! It's funny to see in myself a much greater encouragement to be thought valuable like sparrows (or seagulls) rather than like cockroaches!
Thanks for the quick reply. If I understand you correctly and I don’t think I did first time so I’m going to read and listen again (concurrently), I’m not sure if this rests easy with the rest of scripture but then as I said not sure I’ve understood you ‘right’. I’ve read and listened to you lots for many years so confident it will make sense when I read again. Thanks brother
Thanks again Tony. Another helpful discussion launcher! Can you explain a little more about what it means when you say the word ‘lovable’? Steve
I wonder if Gods love is actually “better than unconditional” as David Powlison writes? Unconditional has a bit of “loving us as we are and leaving us as we are” idea to many folks; whereas “better than unconditional” connotes more of a “lifting love” or “changing us” kind of love.
Thanks Tony.
Are cockroaches sinless?
Thank you, Tony! I caught wind of your work through Phillip Jensens talks- through YouTube. I have enjoyed your thoughts, Thus far. I have sincerely appreciated The gentleness and grace you use when expressing, truth in scripture. I pray You continue to grow in his grace and love.
Dear Dad. Great post today. Rich in the gospel of God's love, so very edifying. Just a question (a kind of heretical one which I've always thought are the best kind). I've often wondered whether 'unconditional' is the right word to describe God's love given this special love of God that's in Christ is only for those who repent of their sins (through his mercy, of course). What do you think? Is there a difference between"unmerited" and "unconditional", for example? Curiously. From a loved cockroach.