Note: This is a guest post since presently I am teaching overseas. This is by Jesus Archuleta.
In today’s discourse, the notion that “Jesus loves everyone” has gained considerable traction, often implying the acceptance of individuals despite their shortcomings while still affirming belief in Jesus’ love. This concept has permeated various spheres, from everyday conversations to significant events like the Super Bowl. However, for those deeply rooted in the Bible, it’s imperative to scrutinize these ideas through a biblical lens.
A closer examination of the Bible reveals a more nuanced perspective on love and hate, as portrayed by Jesus and other biblical writers.
For instance, in Luke 14:26 [1], Jesus challenges his disciples to prioritize their love for God above even their closest familial ties, illustrating that authentic devotion to God may appear as disdain to others.
Similarly, in Psalms 139:21-22[2], David vehemently opposes the wicked and enemies of God, openly expressing his animosity toward them.
This sentiment is further echoed in Romans 9:13 [3], where God’s favoritism towards Jacob over Esau is explicitly stated, contradicting the notion of universal love for all.
Proverbs 6:16-19 [4] delineates the actions and attitudes detested by the Lord, indicating that God’s aversion extends beyond mere deeds to encompass the individuals perpetrating them.
Lastly, Psalms 5:5 [5] reinforces this concept by asserting that those deeply entrenched in sin do not enjoy God’s love, challenging the idea of universal love regardless of one’s spiritual state.
While it is acknowledged that Jesus’ sacrificial death offers forgiveness for sinners, it does not negate the reality of God’s selective love. The narrative of divine love encompasses both grace and judgment, prompting individuals to confront the uncomfortable truths presented in scripture rather than selectively embracing comforting notions of universal acceptance.
In conclusion, the biblical portrayal of love and hate confronts contemporary narratives, urging believers to embrace a comprehensive understanding of God’s character that encompasses both mercy and justice. Through diligent study and reflection on scripture, individuals can navigate the complexities of divine love and uphold the truth revealed therein, even when it contradicts prevailing cultural sentiments.
- If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 NASB1995
- Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. Psalms 139:21-22 NASB1995
- Just as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Romans 9:13 NASB1995
- There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19 NASB1995
- The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.”Psalms 5:5 NASB1995
Thanks for this! It is truth!
Amen, thanks for the feedback. 🤝
Excellent:
“the biblical portrayal of love and hate confronts contemporary narratives, urging believers to embrace a comprehensive understanding of God’s character that encompasses both mercy and justice. “
Blessings.
Thank you brother. 🤝
This is also in the Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-8 (KJV)
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
As I see it, if God’s love is “selective” it is only because a particular person has rejected Him in some way.
I think C.S. Lewis got it right in “The Great Divorce” that those in hell want to be there. God’s selective lack of love for those who end up in hell is not why they end up there. They end up in hell because of their lack of love for Him.
Good point here. Their love for sin trumps their love for God.
With all due respect Frank, the last line in your post is not what the bible teaches about condemnation. Sort of surprised no one caught it. Rom. 5.12-21 succinctly deals with why folks are condemned; it was the sin in Adam that separated us from God. We died to God. Dead folks cannot love God. What God said in The Garden was true: “In the day you eat from it you will die.” Physical death arrives later but dead to God was immediate as a judicial sort of condition.
Rom. 11.32 is another verse you should consider. Reading Romans and Galatians have helped many a Christian through the ages in these matters.
You write, Alex, “Dead folks cannot love God.” Is that in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 6:5 gives the command: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Jesus repeats it in Matthew 22:37.
Although we were under condemnation through Adam, Romans 5:12-21 tells us of the righteousness we now have through Jesus.
Instead of going back and forth with you (since the bible can be used to prove almost anything), please check a good theological book on anthropology and harmartiology.
Jesus said when one turns to the Lord, they pass from death to life. Sure, it’s a metaphor, but metaphors mean things. If you go to a cemetery looking for friends from those passed, you will be dissapointed.
Excellent post brother Jesus! As the scripture below demonstrates, it is imperative to start with the triune God of Holy Scripture.
“In the beginning God created…”
(Genesis 1:1 LSB)
I AM was in eternity past…no one and nothing else. Man along with all the rest of creation did not exist. God is holy, righteous, just, true and good. God and His Word (i.e. Holy Scripture) are the standard. God is love but not all love is God.
Interpretative issues arise when people begin with man instead of God in addition to lacking knowledge of Holy Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Open Theism, Middle Knowledge, Process Theology, Universalism are not Christian doctrines. I highly recommend reading John Owen’s book, The Death of Death In The Death of Christ. It is an outstanding book discussing universal redemption.
Click to access TheDeathofDeathintheDeathofChrist-JohnOwen.pdf
As the Apostle Paul writes:
“What then? Are we better? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME WORTHLESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN TOMB, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
“WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
“THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.””
(Romans 3:9-18 LSB)
We are dead in trespasses and sins and the wrath of God abides on sinners.
“And you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all also formerly conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”
(Ephesians 2:1-5 LSB)
Tomes have been written on this subject. Let us bow the knee to God, abide in His Word and love the brethren as defined by Holy Scripture.
Soli Deo Gloria
Thanks for the encouragement and wise words. Blessings
Thanks for writing this guest post
Of course! Anytime brother. 🤝
His Law is love. Great write up confronting the worldly narrative many believers take hook line and sink(h)er.