“Smile, God loves you”! Is it Biblical to only tell men ‘God loves them’? Is it right for them to think that God ‘loves’ them since the Bible says that God is ‘angry’ with many? Is it honest to tell men that God ‘loves’ them no matter what they think of Christ or how they live? What does the Bible say? John 3:16, “For God so loved the world” is most always quoted as proof that God loves ‘everybody’. But one important fact is overlooked, in that same chapter John 3:36 is in this same context. This verse tells us that if you do not believe in Christ then you have nothing but the ‘wrath’ (anger) of God resting over your head. If you are not ‘in Christ’ then you are not under God’s ‘love’ but rather under His ‘anger’ Why is this so? How can God be ‘angry’ with you? The answer is simple, God is holy. Anything sinful cannot stand in His presence; we were ALL born into sin and are workers of iniquity until God changes us. The scripture says of God, “For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with you. The foolish shall not stand in your sight; you hate all workers of iniquity” (Ps.5:4-5). As God sees the unbelief and iniquity of men the only reaction He can have to such a sight is ‘anger’. The Apostle Paul made it clear in I Corinthians 16:22 that God is not ‘in love’ with all men. “If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ let him be anathema (accursed).” If you do not love and follow God’s dear Son then you should not be deceived into thinking, ‘God loves you.’ Rather, He must be ‘angry’ with you, for He has said that if you do not “kiss the Son,” His wrath is against you, and you will perish in the way (Psalm 2:12). The New Testament teaches that the ‘love of God is in Christ Jesus’ to all those who are “in Christ Jesus’ by faith (Romans 8:1& 39). If you are not in Christ then you are in the flesh (Romans 8:5-8) and need to “flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7), Luke 3:7; I Thessalonians 1:10). Why would you need to ‘flee’ to Christ if everything is ‘O.K.’? Until you, from your heart, forsake your sins and follow Christ, do not think you can “smile” because “God loves you.” We are living in a day of perverted Gospel preaching. Be not deceived by it: God’s mercy rest only upon those who look outside themselves to Christ and live by faith in Him. God’s wrath is the portion of all those who fail to look to Christ (Colossians 3:6). This is the clear teaching of the Bible. Do you believe it? “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.” “Let me at a throne of mercy find a sweet relief; kneeling there in deep contrition, help my unbelief.” ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
Older
Top
