God Loves All People
God loves all of His children with unconditional love “for God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).The ultimate expression of divine love is the Father’s gift of His own Son (John 3:16), through whom it becomes possible for us to be “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Christ loves His children regardless of their spiritual standing. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The love that the Father offered humans was not a response to any love they had for Him, for they were His enemies. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us” (1 John 4:10).
No one deserves God’s love “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; 6:23). In spite of man’s rebellion against the Lord, He is eager for sinners to repent and accept His love (2 Peter 3:9). The Lord, far from actively willing the death of wicked, has done all in His power to save him from death.
God Loves the Sinner But Hates Sin
God’s love for the world does not mean He will ignore man’s sins. He is also the God of justice (2 Thessalonians 1:6), therefore, sin will not go unpunished (Romans 3:25-26). Those that reject Christ as their Savior (2 Peter 2:1) will have to die for their own sins (Romans 6:23).
While God loves everyone unconditionally, He only has a “love covenant” with those who accept Him. The Bible declares, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
God loves everyone equally in that He is merciful to all but He can’t save those that don’t want to be saved. He can’t force His blessings on those that reject it. He pleads, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
Some find it hard to accept this idea of the eternal love of God coupled with His divine justice. But divine justice is God’s enmity to sin, resulting finally in the full destruction of evil from the universe. So long as people choose to stay under the bondage of sin they will reap the consequences (Romans 1:18).
Accept the Lord as Your Personal Savior
God’s offer of redemption is universal. No one is excluded from it. Christ is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). The false teaching that some are chosen to be lost is denied by this statement (Romans 8:29). Yet, people will be saved as individuals, not as churches. Salvation is a personal matter.
Today, God is inviting all His children to drink freely from the cup of His redemption (John 7:37) but it is up to them to accept His invitation or reject it. The Spirit calls, “let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). So, if you hear His voice calling you, don’t harden your heart but come to Him as you are and receive forgiveness and cleansing from sin (Hebrews 3:15; 1 John 1:9).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
