GOD IS LOVE BUT DOES GOD LOVE EVERYONE

UNCONDITIONALLY?

WHAT ABOUT GOD'S HOLINESS?

The biggest controversy today in the spiritual realm is the

question: Who is God?

We cannot know who God is apart from the word of God. This is
His revelation to mankind which reveals the truth about who God
is, who man is, and the great plan of redemption through Jesus
Christ.

The Bible is the only way we can know any truth for certain.
People love to give their opinions about who God is and who they
want Him to be, but none of that matters unless it is grounded in
the word of God.

When people talk about who God is and their view goes against
the Bible, they have just created an idol of who they want God to
be. This idol is created to suit their own lusts so they can live a life
of sin free of any worries and pricking of the conscience.

Your view of God reveals what is in your heart.

Jesus said, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil
treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." - Luke 6:45
Our goal with this study is to give a Biblical and balanced view of
who God really is with an emphasis on one attribute today: His
love

GOD'S LOVE TOWARD MAN

GOD'S LOVE IS PERFECTLY MANIFESTED IN THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS FOR OUR
SALVATION

LOVE TOWARD MANKIND IN GENERAL

The specific love God showed toward mankind on the cross is a love which restrains God's
deserved justice and wrath upon us. He does not want anyone to go to hell.

"[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come
to repentance." - II Peter 3:9
"[11] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of
the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your
evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" - Ezekiel 33:11
This love is different from the love which one experiences when they get saved and
adopted as a child of God. The love that God has for that person now becomes like
the love a Father has for their child.
"[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born
of God, and knoweth God.
[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to
be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and
his love is perfected in us.
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and
he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:
because as he is, so are we in this world.
[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
[19] We love him, because he first loved us." - I John 4:7-12,16-19
"[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that
they are wrought in God." - John 3:16-21
"[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." - I John 3:16
"[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some
would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us." - Romans 5:3-8
"[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;)
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them" - Ephesians 2:1-10
GOD ALSO SHOWS LOVE TOWARD MANKIND BY PROVIDING FOOD, WATER,
AIR, BEAUTY, ETC.
"[43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine
enemy.
[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
unjust." - Matthew 5:43-45
Even though mankind is wicked and deserves to be punished in hell, God still allows
them to live day after day on the earth that He created because of His longsuffering and
love.
An argument someone may pose is that there is also suffering, evil, poverty, etc. How
could God allow that?
First of all, all sin in the world is committed by man, not God. Mankind hurts his
neighbor by stealing, lying, and killing(including Goverments withholding resources
form the poor).
Second, disease, poison, and ugliness was brought into the world through man's sin. Sin
corrupts and destroys everything. That is not how it was originally created by God.
Having said that, even this sin tainted world is still better than suffering in hell and shows
God's mercy and longsuffering towards man

GOD'S LOVE TOWARD MANKIND IS NOT BASED ON ANYTHING WE HAVE

DONE TO EARN IT
"[3] For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers
lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life." - Titus 3:3-7
IF GOD DOES NOT LOVE LOST PEOPLE AS HIS CHILDREN, HOW DOES HE
FEEL TOWARDS THEM?
"[4] For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with
thee.
[5] The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
[6] Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and
deceitful man." - Psalms 5:4-6
"[11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." - Psalms
7:11
This is the other side of God. God has many attributes, not just love. He also has anger
and wrath towards evil.
If we focus too much on one attribute of God we will create an unbalanced idolatrous
view of God.
We must not see God as all love, because then He would never judge sin and evil therby
making Him a corrupt judge that let's evil run rampant with no consequence. This view
makes people think they can live however they want and God will still love them and
accept them.
We must also not see God as all wrath, because then He would have no mercy and love so
everyone would be punished and thrown in hell. This view makes people fearful of
coming to God or makes them hate God as a cruel tyrant with no mercy and compassion.
Both views are wrong. God is love AND God is holy and these attributes do not
contradict.
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GOD'S LOVE TOWARD HIS CHILDREN
"[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not
with him also freely give us all things?
[33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who
is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as
sheep for the slaughter.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the
love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:31-39

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GOD'S LOVE FOR THE SAVED IS MANIFESTED THROUGH CORRECTING US
"[11] My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his
correction:
[12] For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth." - Proverbs 3:11,12
"[5] And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My
son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
[6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth.
[7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom
the father chasteneth not?
[8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and
not sons.
[9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them
reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
[10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our
profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby.
[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed." - Hebrews 12:5-13
"[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." -
Revelation 3:19

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GOD THE FATHER LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE JESUS AND KEEP HIS WORDS
"[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him.
[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and
my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
[24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not
mine, but the Father's which sent me." - John 14:21,23,24
"[27] For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed
that I came out from God." - John 16:27

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GOD'S LOVE IS MANIFESTED THROUGH SETTING UP RIGHTEOUS RULERS
AND EXECUTING JUSTICE
"[11] Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon,
Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them." - II
Chronicles 2:11
"[8] Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to
be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for
ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice." - II
Chronicles 9:8
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WHAT DOES GOD LOVE?
"[7] For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the
upright." - Psalms 11:7
"[5] He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the
LORD." - Psalms 33:5
"[28] For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved
for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off." - Psalms 37:28
"[7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath
anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." - Psalms 45:7
"[8] The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed
down: the LORD loveth the righteous:" - Psalms 146:8
"[8] For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct
their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." - Isaiah 61:8
"[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which
soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." - II Corinthians 9:6,7
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DID THE APOSTLES EVER PREACH THE LOVE OF GOD?
There is not one example of anyone in the book of Acts, where we have recorded
sermons preached by the apostles, of anyone preaching, "God loves you" or "God
has a wonderful plan for your life" or anything else like that. I will give one example
of the apostle Peter's preaching:
"[22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God
among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of
you, as ye yourselves also know:
[23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
[24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not
possible that he should be holden of it.
[25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for
he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
[26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh
shall rest in hope:
[27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One
to see corruption.
[28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with
thy countenance.
[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is
both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him,
that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his
throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in
hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father
the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said
unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same
Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and
to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as
many as the Lord our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from
this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:22-41
Is it okay to say, "God showed His love for you on the cross. If you repent and
believe the Gospel, you can experience that love."? Yes.
It is not okay to say, "God loves you" in the sense of a present relationship to that
person. People twist God's love to mean, "God loves you just the way you are. Come
as you are and stay as you are. God doesn't care about your sin. You don't have to
change anything, just be nice to everyone."
God's wrath abides on all they who are not saved and He does not love them like a
son until they get saved. He is not willing that they perish in hell, but if they refuse
to repent, justice must be executed or God would be a corrupt and evil god.