Does God love everyone the same?

Chilaha said:

Hi all,
I have been pondering this questions awhile and am wondering... does God loves some people more than others? I was reading a Catholic book with numerous questions and it stated that God loves the saints more than people like me. I am not catholic, but is this true? Also, I just don't understand how this could be possible. If we are all His children how could he love some more than others? Do fathers love some of their children more than others? I'm also wondering, who is this God I'm serving? Is He a God that loves me or is He the wrath of God guy I am afraid He might be? Final question is; does God want care about my needs and is He truly as loving as some say?
I guess my main problem is I'm not sure if God is just a big and powerful guy who is out to get me as He watches me break his rules? Or is He my best friend and loves me just as much as everyone else and wants to complete me?
Thank you,
Chilaha

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Hahaha, no.

According to the Bible, we're all saints (Ephesians 5:3). God loves everyone. But I heard my pastor once say God does have 'preferences,' and that's those who are eager to follow Him. Makes sense I guess. I think I heard him wrong because that sermon was a bit difficult to understand, but oh well... It was a pretty good sermon long time ago. But we could look at Jacob and Esau and see how that turned out. Esau only pleased himself while Jacob, although conniving, tried to follow God's blessings and had lots of zeal for them.

Don't you know the parable where the disrespectful son who came back home poor was greeted with lots of love and celebration by his father in the Bible? That's what our Lord is like. He showers them with love when they come back home to Him. He is your best friend who is with you all the way. We make mistakes in life, but those are our lessons that we learn to gain wisdom. Be grateful for every step of they way here and now.

He's not just some Big Guy up there in the Sky. And as long as you come back to Him, He won't care about you breaking the 'rules' and what not. Too many people get too hung up over their sins. Lose your pride and try to follow Christ and His good examples. Bear the good fruits of Christ. Don't let Satan burden you with these troubles.

"Don't you know the parable where the disrespectful son who came back home poor was greeted with lots of love and celebration by his father in the Bible? That's what our Lord is like."

So true, because he was a SON. The unrepentant sinner is NOT a son.

ShiningBecky said:

Yes, God loves everyone equally.

If God creates people just for the express purpose of eternally tormenting them in everlasting fire, then He is not good or loving.

Fortunately, that caricature of the One True God is just that. It's not real. It's no more real than the Greek gods that people used to worship. God is Love and has no shadow of turning in Him.

Now, does God love everyone the exact same? I don't think so. It's like having a bunch of kids. You love them all equally, but in different ways. So it is with God. He appreciates us differently as we are all His kids, but we're still all loved just as much in amount.

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I like the same-equal-differently idea but for me it doesn't hold up for two reasons:

1 Even though you loved your child "differently" would it be so different that you would send them to hell? (God sends people to hell)

2 God's choice would be for man to live in Eden. Adam and Eve CHOSE to go the hellbound way. Don't blame God for that. Only those who return to Him via the gift of faith are reborn into a relationship with Him and live as the true sons/daughters of God.

ShiningBecky said:

Yes, God loves everyone equally.

If God creates people just for the express purpose of eternally tormenting them in everlasting fire, then He is not good or loving.

Fortunately, that caricature of the One True God is just that. It's not real. It's no more real than the Greek gods that people used to worship. God is Love and has no shadow of turning in Him.

Now, does God love everyone the exact same? I don't think so. It's like having a bunch of kids. You love them all equally, but in different ways. So it is with God. He appreciates us differently as we are all His kids, but we're still all loved just as much in amount.

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I am sorry but this does not hold up to scripture at all God is love but he is also wrath and judge. And to say God doesn't create people just to send them to hell is false scripture (Romans 9) tells us there are vessels of destruction. These are people who will never choose God therefore since God is sovereign he knows this uses them for his purpose but them sends them to hell look at Judas for example. The guy didn't have a chance he had to turn in Jesus if he didn't believers wouldn't be forgiven of sin today. He was without a doubt sent to hell scripture tells us God wished he had never been born that is harsh but he did not love God and never would Judas was a vessel of destruction used for God's plan and then done away with plain an simple. God can be harsh but his way is always the right way and those that don't love him are going to get wrath and it's not going to be pretty. God does not love us all the same clearly scripture gives us example after example of this.

Bella Vita said:

And to say God doesn't create people just to send them to hell is false scripture (Romans 9) tells us there are vessels of destruction.

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Is your definition of hell non-existence?

Bella Vita said:

I am sorry but this does not hold up to scripture at all God is love but he is also wrath and judge. And to say God doesn't create people just to send them to hell is false scripture (Romans 9) tells us there are vessels of destruction. These are people who will never choose God therefore since God is sovereign he knows this uses them for his purpose but them sends them to hell look at Judas for example. The guy didn't have a chance he had to turn in Jesus if he didn't believers wouldn't be forgiven of sin today. He was without a doubt sent to hell scripture tells us God wished he had never been born that is harsh but he did not love God and never would Judas was a vessel of destruction used for God's plan and then done away with plain an simple. God can be harsh but his way is always the right way and those that don't love him are going to get wrath and it's not going to be pretty. God does not love us all the same clearly scripture gives us example after example of this.

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This is what you honestly believe?

We definitely do not believe in the same God then.

ShiningBecky said:

This is what you honestly believe?

We definitely do not believe in the same God then.

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You can not deny scripture and that is what it says. Believe it or don't but God is God and we aren't he does things his way and they don't necessarily fit into what we think is right. The God of the scriptures is love but he is also wrath and judge.

Bella Vita said:

You can not deny scripture and that is what it says. Believe it or don't but God is God and we aren't he does things his way and they don't necessarily fit into what we think is right. The God of the scriptures is love but he is also wrath and judge.

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God is love and light. The god you mentioned is not the God and Father of the Lord and Savior of all men, Jesus Christ. Jesus in not wrath any more than you or I are. Don't let prejudices and bad doctrine corrupt your view of God.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10

Chilaha said:

Hi all,
I have been pondering this questions awhile and am wondering... does God loves some people more than others? I was reading a Catholic book with numerous questions and it stated that God loves the saints more than people like me. I am not catholic, but is this true?

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Wouldn't put too much stock in self-promotional books...but there is some truth to God loving differently.

As it been seen in Scripture, God's love for humanity as a whole is impartial, it is freely offered to all on a "whomsoever will may come and receive", basis.

Yet, it is only us who come to God through Jesus, that actually receive that love in an intimate, personal manner.

So even though God offers His Love to all, only us who love, and obey Jesus actually receive the benefits of that Magnificent Offer.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. <-----> John 3:16+17

He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou will manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
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.
He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. <-----> John 14:21-24

Unrequited love negates the reciprocal nature of love, hence it is only when we love back in response to God's Love, that His Love flows into our life.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <-----> 1st John 4:10

We love him, because he first loved us. <-----> 1st John 4:19

Chilaha said:

Also, I just don't understand how this could be possible. If we are all His children how could he love some more than others? Do fathers love some of their children more than others? I'm also wondering, who is this God I'm serving? Is He a God that loves me or is He the wrath of God guy I am afraid He might be? Final question is; does God want care about my needs and is He truly as loving as some say?

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Because God loves all (initially), He favors us who treat each other well, if any do wickedly to others, and not repent, God, due to His Love for those being harmed, will actually come to hate those unrepentant evildoers....that's where the wrath comes in...but if we love and listen to Jesus, He teaches us to do no ill to others, to love, or at the worst disassociate with them, if they continue to be a bad/hurtful influence.

Our needs, are mainly to be forgiven and get into harmony with Christ's Spirit, then are we safe from God's wrath. And then are we fit to enter His Everlasting Kingdom or Righteousness, Peace & Joy.

Chilaha said:

I guess my main problem is I'm not sure if God is just a big and powerful guy who is out to get me as He watches me break his rules? Or is He my best friend and loves me just as much as everyone else and wants to complete me?
Thank you,
Chilaha

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Well, a lot of that depends on whether we learn to love and obey Jesus, or not. Most of us enjoy a generous "space", wherein we get to experience many things...but at some point we have to give and stay with our "final answer", we cannot keep on being neither for or against Christ, we will ultimately be pulled to, or away from Him, and our standing with Him determines whether we are "the children of mercy", or "the children of wrath", for all of eternity.

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: <-----> Luke 12:51 (Words of Jesus)


For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. <-----> 1st Peter 3:10-12

May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless & Keep !

wm

I am in the camp that believes God loves equally.
I believe His heart breaks when people turn from Him.

I do not believe He made some to fail. I believe it does boil down to free will.

As far as the o.p. asking about the catholic book and God loving the saints more than the average Joe
believer? No. no. no.

As a believer, I am not better than an unbeliever.
I am only blessed because of the Grace of God.

You know...the old "there but for the Grace of God go I."

That can be so easy to forget.

ShiningBecky said:

God is love and light. The god you mentioned is not the God and Father of the Lord and Savior of all men, Jesus Christ. Jesus in not wrath any more than you or I are. Don't let prejudices and bad doctrine corrupt your view of God.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10

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Are you forgetting that our God flooded the Earth killing anyone who did not believe in him and wouldn't follow Noah men, women, and children everyone. How about our God who brought executioners into Jerusalem and told them that anyone who did not have a mark on their forehead was to be killed again men, women, and children. This is also the same God who swept through Egypt in Exodus killing every first born son young and old. Our Lord has amazing mercy and love but he is also wrath this is undeniable in scripture. So unless you denounce scripture as truth I don't know what else to tell you.

Ephesians 3 ??? That's written to the CHURCH. Of course God loves those He has saved!


"God is love and light. The god you mentioned is not the God and Father of the Lord and Savior of all men, Jesus Christ. Jesus in not wrath any more than you or I are. Don't let prejudices and bad doctrine corrupt your view of God."


God is love and light and...HOLY. His wrath will consume the wicked, and the scriptures( WORD OF GOD) as Bella has stated in her examples is the TRUE view of God. Most people in the Bible have bowed in fear, fearing God would consume them, because of His power and holiness.

But those who are not His do not have His favor.

The Lord's love can be soft and sweet, it can also hot and devouring, for in His jealousy He comes the defense of those being wrongfully preyed upon, who call upon His Holy Name.

For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. <-----> Deuteronomy 4:24

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. <-----> 1st Thessalonians 4:6

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: <-----> Matthew 23:33+34 (Words of Jesus)

Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction. <-----> Jeremiah 17:18

He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. <-----> Revelation 21:7+8

God's love is a jealous love...which is to say in His love, He delivers the poor and needy who trust in Him, while vehemently avenging them of their adversaries who've wrongfully betrayed, persecuted, and oppressed them.

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How sad. I never thought on a "Christian" message board, I would have people telling me that God is hateful and cruel. I think I'm in the wrong place. Too much many-made doctrines and religion for this girl.

ShiningBecky said:

How sad. I never thought on a "Christian" message board, I would have people telling me that God is hateful and cruel. I think I'm in the wrong place. Too much many-made doctrines and religion for this girl.

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Do you have an issue with scripture?

God can be wrathful but it is only to those who reject his grace. There is nothing wrong with justice when it is deserving. The evil have and will be punished!

Bella Vita said:

Do you have an issue with scripture?

God can be wrathful but it is only to those who reject his grace. There is nothing wrong with justice when it is deserving. The evil have and will be punished!

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unless they were created to be wicked for the day of destruction...

Bella Vita said:

Do you have an issue with scripture?

God can be wrathful but it is only to those who reject his grace. There is nothing wrong with justice when it is deserving. The evil have and will be punished!

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Your "god" (actually your concept of God) is one who creates people to torture forever in hell.

The real God is nothing like that monster your religion has taught you. Open your eyes.

This site is really sick, honestly. I hope it closes down.

ShiningBecky said:

Your "god" (actually your concept of God) is one who creates people to torture forever in hell.

The real God is nothing like that monster your religion has taught you. Open your eyes.

This site is really sick, honestly. I hope it closes down.

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Not just my God but the God of scripture I urge you to go ask these questions of a pastor they will tell you the same thing I have been telling you. God is love but he is also wrath plain and simple it is in scripture so unless you don't believe scripture is truth then it is undeniable. And Romans 9 I also encourage you to read speaks of vessels of destruction read it look at the study notes, and read a commentary on that chapter. I am not doing any of this to hurt you or to be mean I am speaking truth. Scripture tells us everything we know about God's character and there are multiple sides to God not just love and mercy. And in order to grow in your relationship with him and have a healthy fear of the Lord you need to come to terms with the many sides of our God. He is our savior he does love us but he is also our judge. The Bible tells us we will tremble in fear when we stand before the throne. That is because God is powerful he has the ability to cast us into hell we should and need to have a healthy fear for the Lord and his wrath. We need to have clear understanding that his wrath has and is going to happen. I don't understand why you are in denial about this or how you have read the same Bible I have read and can't see the many sides of God in scripture.

ShiningBecky said:

Your "god" (actually your concept of God) is one who creates people to torture forever in hell.

The real God is nothing like that monster your religion has taught you. Open your eyes.

This site is really sick, honestly. I hope it closes down.

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Becky

Please remember it's against the rules here to insinuate anyone is not a real Christian. We all have different viewpoints and most of these are not wrong but perspectives on different aspects of scripture.

I agree with you that God is love and light and that His love is powerful, much purer than ours. He feels love and can express and IS love more than anything else that ever existed. I am not a frequent debater, by ANY means, on the whole Calvinist versus Arminian arguments, but I do believe God loves everyone.

What came to mind reading these posts of everyone was a few things, one being a signature I used to have years ago on these forums, which was a quote by a pastor that said, "Whenever we try to define God, we diminish Him."

This always stuck with me....all must remember, I think, that God is beyond our full understanding at this time. One of the major parts of our personal walk with God is learning about Him and experiencing Him as he changes us and causes us to grow in Him.

I enjoy reading the Upper Room little devotional booklets my church (and most churches) hand out. I keep really powerful ones in my bible to help me with certain verses. There is one that I keep at the front of my bible that genuinely spoke to me when I read it.

It mentioned that there are three themes in the bible that are dominant when discussing God and showing sides He wished to focus on with expression in scripture --- Love, Wrath, and Holiness. It gave the analogy of a three legged footstool. With one of the legs removed, or two, then the stool would not be complete. Some focus on just the Love of God (which is a wonderful powerful love), but that focusing only on this side can lead to believing in a God who is too permissive and all "sunshine and laughter." That those who focus too much on the wrath side preach and see too much in terms of damnation, Hell, and sin. And that those who focus too much on Holiness of God get tangled too much with stiff ritual and then lose sight of the other traits to the exclusion of genuine feeling, love, and relationship.

I think it's important to try not to put God in a box. He is all of these things, and more. Through scripture He chose to concentrate on these three traits. Neither of you are wrong but everyone must look at all the scripture, all the traits, and do the best we can.