Unconditional Love and the Rational Choice of Faith
The concept of unconditional love for God can be regarded as an inner, selfless attitude in which love demands no reward and is manifested as the highest good, while the rational choice of faith is seen as a conscious, personal commitment stemming from the soul’s free and volitional activity. In other words, love for God, expressed without expectations or conditions, does not exclude but rather becomes fruitful when accompanied by a thoughtful, rational acceptance of religious truth.On one hand, unconditional love is characterized by self-sacrifice and the pursuit of God as the supreme good. As stated in one of the sources:"It is asserted that 'unconditional love is the love for God, with the excluded possibility of receiving anything in return.' And thus, love for God is the foundation of love for everything else that exists." (source: link txt)On the other hand, the necessity of a rational choice of faith indicates that true faith does not arise mechanically or by force but is the result of a free, volitional, and conscious commitment by a person to the path of seeking and comprehending spiritual truth. This is confirmed by the following quote:"The essence of faith and religious life is not in forced obviousness, but in intensification and choice. Faith is the path to God, an experience that always succeeds. ... Faith is a free choice, and where there is even a hidden desire—even from oneself—to demand proof, there is no faith." (source: link txt)Thus, unconditional love for God does not contradict the rational choice of faith. Rather, the free, personal decision becomes the basis through which love for God can be fully manifested—it is not contrived or forced but, on the contrary, grows in a person’s consciousness when they willingly and knowingly embrace the path of truth. Personal self-determination, based on knowledge and inner aspiration, enables one not only to accept God but also to be filled with a love that does not depend on external conditions or reciprocity.Supporting citation(s):"It is asserted that 'unconditional love is the love for God, with the excluded possibility of receiving anything in return.' And thus, love for God is the foundation of love for everything else that exists." (source: link txt)"The essence of faith and religious life is not in forced obviousness, but in intensification and choice. Faith is the path to God, an experience that always succeeds. ... Faith is a free choice, and where there is even a hidden desire—even from oneself—to demand proof, there is no faith." (source: link txt)