I recently read a Christian article explaining how to share Christ with unbelievers. The article said Jesus loves everyone, even those who hate him. I believe the authors meant well, but this statement is dangerously misleading and certainly not a way to help someone see their need for the Savior.
God offers His love and salvation to everyone, even to those who hate Him (John 3:16).
But the following verses must be added:
- Only believers have eternal life (John 3:16).
- Jesus and His Father love those who obey Him (John 14:23-24).
- Only those who keep His commands remain in His love (John 15:10).
- The Father loves us because we love and believe in Jesus (John 16:27).
People who hate God will experience His wrath and spend eternity in Hell (John 3:36; Revelation 21:8; Luke 13:3-5; Romans 2:5-8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:6). If we don't tell people this truth, we do them a disservice.
When we leave out parts of the Gospel to make it more attractive to our culture, we aren't doing God any favors. God doesn't sugarcoat the gospel and He knows how to speak to the hearts of sinners better than we do.
He strongly warns us against sin in His Word, and He expects us to do the same.
*See also Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 6:16;11:20.
For a short Bible study on this devotion, check out this week's Bite Size Bible Study. For more on this misleading type of evangelism, see Superbowl Commercials Present False Christ and Should We Mention Hell When Sharing Christ?
If the person's that hate Him are your parents ,what you should you do next? They say "I don't hate Him,I believe." But they do the opposite, I mean they don't let you follow him because they feel it's not your road.
ReplyDeleteThat can be a complex question. Can you give me a few more details: your age, whether you are living at home, what things your parents prohibit you from doing?
DeleteThanks,
Gail
I’m 21 years old, I live with my mum and grandmother and I come back home on my summer holiday. My parents are divorced since I was 3 years old. I went to a church with my best friend and they didn’t like it. They say I started to change , I’m brainwashed, it’s not my path and it’s not for me. I tried to explain to them I feel God word there but they looked at me like I was a crazy person. So I argue with them about going to that church and I end up give it up. I feel like they hate God by their attitude towards me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you are having to deal with this difficulty.
DeleteSometimes family situations are the most difficult. My advice is that you pray daily that God will give you the most loving, respectful attitude that you can have toward your mum and grandmother. This is hard when they are disagreeable, but God is able to give you strength far beyond your abilities.
Ask Him to direct your words and try to express yourself as kindly as possible. Sometimes a kind and loving attitude can change people's hearts more than anything else.
If Sunday services are the biggest problem, you could meet with your Christians friends at another time for Bible study and prayer. In fact, you could make your family's attitudes a focus of your prayers.
You need weekly fellowship, and some people will disagree with me about not attending church. I know personally of a situation where a husband hated that his wife went to church, so she quit going and tried to be kind and gracious to her husband and before long, he was encouraging her to go to church with his blessing.
I believe God can use you in a miraculous way as you depend on His strength and wisdom. I also have prayed for your situation. And I encourage you to ask others to pray.
Gail
Hi Gail, I was wondering if God still loves a Christian after they have sinned while being a Christian..
ReplyDeleteHi Janna,
DeleteYes, God loves His children even when they disappoint Him. He is a loving Father.
The point of the devotion is that people can't hate God and expect that everything will be fine for them. And when we tell people that God loves them even if they hate him, it gives people that impression.
God offers His love to everyone, saint and sinner alike, but he does not force His love on anyone, and those who reject Him will have serious earthly and eternal consequences.
I think a word study needs to be done here. I do not believe that God's love comes and goes but rather His special blessings and protection. The Bible is clear that God loved us while we were still His enemies. (Rom. 5:8 - 10) We can return to US being His enemy, however. (James 4:4) I don't believe God becomes our enemy. His fight is with Satan and sin. However, if we align ourselves with His sin/Satan we will be out from under His wing and in the line of fire so stay out of Satan's camp.(Prodigal son was still loved by his father but lost his protection and blessings until he returned) I get and agree with the warning and give it all the time. And, yes, I have professing Christians tell me not to talk about God's wrath but only about His love. Without wrath there is no Good News.
ReplyDeleteHi unknown,
DeleteI'm not sure what word you are suggesting for a word study, but I don't think there is any Scripture that would tell us God loves those who hate Him, that He loves those who permanently reject Him, or that He loves those He sends to Hell.
I'd be open to hearing it, but Scriptures about God loving us while we are yet sinners are not the same as saying God loves those who hate Him. And I see no purpose in this except to encourage people to continue in their hatred of God.
Why did Jesus say "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." if God loves everyone even those who don't obey His teaching and those who hate Him?
Why did He say "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love." if everyone remains in His love even if they don't keep His commands and hate Him?
Why did Jesus say "the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God." if the Father loves those who don't love or believe in Jesus?
I don't know of a single verse that says God loves those who hate Him, but the verses above say God loves those who love Him.