What is the Meaning of Unconditional Love?

Love is powerful, especially when given without limits or unconditionally. But what is the meaning of unconditional love? Here, we define it and show you what it looks like through four inspiring real-life examples. You’ll also learn how you can show unconditional love to others.

What’s Here:

• What Is the Meaning of Unconditional Love?
• Unconditional Love: 4 Inspiring Examples
• How Can You Show Unconditional Love to Others?

What Is the Meaning of Unconditional Love?

Unconditional love means loving someone without conditions, no strings attached.

Let’s dive a bit deeper. A “condition” is something that must exist before something else is possible or permitted. For example, you have to reach certain goals at work before getting that promotion. And you have to pay for your groceries before you can take them home.

Unconditional love doesn’t look like that. When you love someone unconditionally, it doesn’t matter what they can or can’t do or what they do or don’t have. It doesn’t matter what they do to you or for you. It doesn’t even matter if you’ve received the same love yourself.

Instead, unconditional love means loving others, despite it all, and expecting none of the same love in return.

The Bible gives us a perfect picture of unconditional love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV):

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Unconditional Love: 4 Inspiring Examples

The best way to understand unconditional love is by reading the inspiring stories of those who have both shown and received this powerful form of love.

God Loves All of Us Despite Our Sins

Did you know that all of us can experience unconditional love? It’s true. In fact, the gospel is the perfect example of unconditional love, and it’s a gift freely given to all.

All of us have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23). And that sin? It separates us from God. Because of that separation, sin only leads to death (Romans 6:23).

But despite our sins, God loves us so much. That’s why he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins (John 3:16). Now, we can be forgiven and spend eternity with him.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8, NIV 

We couldn’t save ourselves from our dirty sin. And what do we have to give that’s of value to the Creator of the universe? Even still, he loves us so much and doesn’t withhold any good thing (Psalm 84:11) from those that walk with him. And that’s unconditional love.

Patricia Loves Her Son Despite the Odds

Patricia from Brazil grew up without the love of a father or a mother. Her parents suffered from addiction, while Patricia and her sisters suffered abuse. Living in poverty, Patricia had to beg on the street for food and often slept on the sidewalk. She felt completely and utterly alone.

When Patricia was 19, she became pregnant. Without food or a safe place to live, she considered leaving little Wesley in the maternity hospital after birth. But one look into his little eyes and Patricia felt unconditional love sweep over her.

She chose to love and care for Wesley, despite her upbringing, her circumstances and the odds.

Life wasn’t easy for Patricia and her little one as they often went without food. But when Wesley was 3 years old, Patricia lovingly registered him with Compassion, where he received nutrition support, medical care and more.

During his first year at the Compassion center, volunteers suspected that Wesley had autism spectrum disorder (ASD), something Patricia was unfamiliar with. Even in the confusion and fear she felt, Patricia worked to obtain Wesley’s diagnosis and advocate on his behalf.

Wesley is now thriving, receiving the undying support of his mother and those in his community. Despite all odds, Patricia loves Wesley unconditionally, teaching him about Jesus’ love for him too.

Related Read:True Love & the Heart of a Mother

Pastor Raúl & Sister Graciela Love Their Community Despite the Cost

Twenty years ago, Normandia in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, was nothing more than a garbage dump. Trash surrounded the town on all sides. Rot perfumed the air, and the groundwater was polluted, leaving those living in the community riddled with parasites.

But Pastor Raúl and Sister Graciela loved Normandia and felt called to help the ones living there, despite the cost.

The two made the little town their home, sacrificing their own safety and comfort for those they felt called to reach. Those living in poverty could not give anything in return, but Raúl and Graciela chose to love them and fight on their behalf.

Raúl and Graciela didn’t have a building to house their ministry. Instead, they gathered children under a tree in town to sing and teach Bible stories. Soon, they realized the need was too great to meet on their own. So they reached out to Compassion.

With resources given through the local church, Raúl and Graciela secured a small plot of land and fought to fundraise for a building. The building was built, and the team began delivering food, education and more to the community.

Raúl and Graciela’s love for the least of these pushed them to dream even bigger. The pair wanted to build a medical clinic to support the sick in the community. After drafting a proposal, they received the resources needed to do so.

You can now drive through the community of Normandia without seeing a trace of the garbage dumps that once crowded the city. The community has been transformed through the hard work, dedication and unconditional love of Pastor Raúl and Sister Graciela.

Justine Loves the Children She Teaches Despite Her Childhood Abuse

When Justine from Rwanda was just a girl, she suffered violence and abuse at the hands of her father. Even after he abandoned her family, Justine felt no relief. Poverty left her and her mother hungry and without resources.

Things began to change when Justine was registered with her local Compassion program and enrolled in school. She excelled in her studies and went on to gain a university degree.

Fueled by a desire to ensure other children don’t suffer the way she did, Justine now works as a child advocate, connecting children to Christian education. And through her love and care, other children are becoming change-makers in their communities.

Justine’s childhood was far from fair, and the pain she experienced was unimaginable. And while that pain could hinder her ability to love, Justine hasn’t allowed it to. Instead, she loves the children she teaches unconditionally, helping them to thrive despite poverty.

Related Read:An Advocate for Others

How Can You Show Unconditional Love to Others?

So, as a refresher, what is unconditional love? It’s loving someone without condition, no strings attached. And just like Patricia, Pastor Raúl, Sister Graciela and Justine, you can be an inspiring example of unconditional love too! How?

• Focus on action, not feelings: Let’s be honest; life hurts sometimes. People can cause us pain, even those we love. And sometimes we may not feel unconditional love. In those moments, it’s important for us to act in love, even if we don’t feel it. For example, while we may want to say a bunch of words in anger, we can choose to walk away instead.
• Remember how loved others are by God: To show unconditional love to others, try to see them through the eyes of their heavenly Father. How would he want you to treat them? How would God want you to respond to them? Remember 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
• Practice by loving those who can’t give anything in return: One way to practice showing unconditional love is by caring for those who truly can’t give you anything back. For example, you could sponsor a child living in poverty. Through sponsorship, you’ll deliver the hope of Jesus and life-giving essentials like medical care to a child in desperate need. Plus, you’ll learn how to love without limits as you give.