If you would ask someone what type of friend is considered a true friend, you may hear:

“Someone who is there for me through good and bad times. Someone that I can talk to, share all of my frustrations with and vent to, without being judged but yet, they keep me accountable and tell me when I am wrong.”

If you would ask someone to describe what an ideal marriage would be, they may say:

“When two people are willing to sacrifice themselves to ensure the other is happy and they hold true to the marriage vows- For rich or poor, better or worse, forsaking all others, keeping to one another only, forever.”

In today’s day and time, one would call these types of people: “ride or die.” This is someone who would be there for us regardless of the situation. This person will not just celebrate the good, but also be the biggest shoulder and the greatest ear when things are horrible. 

What’s so interesting about this ideal that we conceive in our mind is that we have the same expectations of Jesus, and quite frankly, He is all of this to us, but we desire it all without sacrifice. We would like for Him to be the good friend, accept us regardless of what we do and how we live, give us everything we desire, strengthen us when we are weak, build us up when we are torn down, allow us to walk in heavenly places on earth. 

But…just as soon as trials and unexpected twists and turns happen (that we NEVER experienced prior to doing this Jesus thing) we give up and resort back to what we did before we gave our life to Christ. 

“It’s too hard, this is not working, I’ve done everything the Pastor says to do, I come to every service when I can…

…and THIS isn’t working…”

You’re relationship just became conditional and not unconditional. A conditional statement means: “if this happens, then this will happen.”

We want unconditional love from our Savior, while giving Him a conditional relationship and reasons to stay in the relationship with him- and that, my friend, is a double-standard. 

double standard

a situation in which two people, groups, etc., are treated very differently from each other in a way that is unfair to one of them. 

Let’s pray: Father, I thank you for the words that you’ve given me to share with your people. Forgive us if we have placed stipulations and conditions on our relationship with you. You are much more deserving of what we have presented as a sacrifice to you. With our mouths we utter statements such as: “if you don’t do anything else, you’ve done enough.” But if you really didn’t do anything else, we would think you didn’t love us. Allow us to understand that unconditional love is not associated with us always receiving, but giving. You demonstrated this when you gave your life and that was the ultimate example of love. Allow us to truly recognize that we must be willing to give our lives for your glory to be manifested in us. We humbly ask that you accept this prayer. In Jesus name, amen.