Trending
To the editor:
We are told in Jn.4:8 that God is love and that because of this He loves each and every individual that He has created.
In one sense He does in that He provides what is necessary for all that He has created to survive on the earth. He sustains all humans with life, sunshine, rain, food, water etc. as He does for all that He created. But it is a different type of love He applies to the saving of a people and it is only applied to those He chooses to give it to.
Love is not an attribute of God but part of His nature or essence. He is also light, purity and holiness. He cannot do anything that goes against what He is.
The objects of His saving love are also eternal for they were chosen in Christ before He created anything that He created (Eph.1:4-5; 2 Thes.2:13). In that His love is holy He does not love all people as He loves those that He has chosen.
Examples: Romans 9:13 "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."; Ps.5:5 "The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity."; Proverbs 15:8-9,26 we find that the sacrifices, the ways, and the thoughts of the wicked are abominations to the Lord.
When statements like: God loves everyone, Jesus died for everyone, not willing that any should perish are applied to the wicked it is against God's word and His nature.
In Ezek.33: 11 the Lord says "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live." It doesn't please God that the wicked die but He has to judge the wicked because of His holiness if they do not repent and turn to Him for forgiveness.
Yes, "God is love" but in His holiness He can only love those for whom the penalty of sin has been paid and His wrath has been atoned for in the death of His son Jesus on the cross.
Jim Batt
Mexico