God's Unconditional Love

God's unconditional love is represented all throughout the Bible! Tonight, in the Underground, we looked at just one example of it. Genesis 15 opens with God appearing to Abram in a vision. Abram goes back and forth with God on the original promise God gave Abram. God takes Abram outside and shows him the stars; and confirms that he would be the father of many people. Abram believed and it was credited it to him as righteousness!

God asked him to gather some animals (a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove and a pigeon). Abram split the animals (not the birds) in two and laid them out opposite of each other. During this part of the message; I pulled out a few stuffed animals. To be exact; a cow, a lamb, and a cat. I took a butcher knife and split the stuffed animals in halves and laid them out in front of the students! Gory, I know.

I went on to explain the importance of this covenant among the people of Abram's day. They would take animals, split them in two, and both parties would walk through the animals. This was a strong symbol that was saying; "If either party breaks their agreement; let myself be like these animals." What a way to make a covenant! In today's times; our promises, vows, and agreements are not taken so serious. In marriage, it is not "till death do us apart"; it is "till we grow apart, and I want a divorce." 

Abram watches as God walks through the animals and fulfills the covenant without Abram ever walking through. This is God showing that He will fulfill His commitment to Abram; no matter what Abram does or doesn't do. It was the same way for us. God sent His son to be pierced and die for us. He restored the relationship between man and Him; giving us the opportunity for Salvation! We can receive this; no matter what we do or don't do. Nothing changed the agreement between God and Abram; as nothing will change the commitment of Salvation God gave us through the death of His Son. God's unconditional love is so amazing!