Originally Posted by Tim
However, Matt. 5 calls that "kindness or benevolence" to our enemies love (vs. 44). How are we loving our enemies when we show kindness to them but not when God shows kindness to them? Could we be splitting hairs at the point we try to distinguish? Again, thank you for your time in discussing.
It is true that Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote that we (believers) are to love our enemies by showing kindness to them. However, there is no warrant to extrapolate that truth and then reverse it and thus state that God loves all men.

1. I would much appreciate it if you would respond to my rebuttals by point rather than simply making assertions. I have provided texts which clearly state that God hates people and not just things, actions, sin, etc. (cf. John Gerstner's excellent article Does God Love the Sinner and Hate Only His Sin?).

2. Can you provide one apostolic sermon where unbelievers are being addressed and they are told that God loves them?

3. The overwhelming predominance of biblical teaching where God's love is mentioned is addressed to believers to explain why it is they were saved. Can you give any biblical example where it states that God loves everyone indiscriminately?

4. I have to wonder at this juncture why it is that you find it so important to be able to state that there is a universal, indiscriminate love of God toward all of mankind without exception? scratchchin Could it be that you think that being able to say to unbelievers that God loves them that somehow this will pluck the strings of their heart and move them to "ask Jesus into their hearts", etc.? Is your focus here to establish this view as being an aid to evangelism? If not, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?

I had the privilege of listening to a lecture on the holiness of God where this topic was mentioned. And the speaker asked if anyone could possibly imagine that Noah as the flood waters were engulfing the residents of that place and they were drowning unfurled a banner over the transom of the ark which read, "Smile, God loves you"?

To me it isn't a matter of "splitting hairs" but getting an essential truth about God, sin, sinners and redemption right.

Thanks to you too for your time in participating in this important topic of discussion. grin

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simul iustus et peccator

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