But unconditional love means just that, love without conditions, even the condition of trusting in Christ. My responsibility is to be a faithful friend even if he never comes to salvation. On the other hand, if I truly love him, I desire God's best for him, which includes a relationship with Christ. My job is to demonstrate love, cultivate a spiritually attractive life, and clearly communicate the gospel message. I believe that God's job is to convict and convert.
Love is foundational for an integrated and effective Christian witness.
It's easy to have superficial relationships, and consequently, superficial conversation. One of the great needs in effective communication is to learn how to listen. Listening allows us to practice unconditional love, for when we genuinely listen to people we communicate that they are important to us. I will never forget one professor I vainly thought I would lead to Christ in a short period of time. In fact, I thought if she did not become a Christian through my bullet-proof arguments, then no one would.