A question

[elf_lady_9]

that's been plaguing me and I'd like some input on it.

If God loves all men/the reprobate or those not elect, why didn't He elect them?

God does love everybody; He just doesn't love everybody in the same way. He's known and loved the elect since before the beginning of time, in the special way that a father knows and loves his children. the difference between the way God loves the elect man and the unregenerate sinner is like the difference between the way a father loves his own child and how he loves some random kid at the park. the father may love kids, all kids, but there will always be an extra special bond between him and his own child.

Bethany

 

[heymikey80]

Ahhhh, I see. I too am interested in seeing that Scritprue.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mt 5:43-48
​

Just a comment on what this is not saying: it's not saying God has the same saving love for everyone. It's not saying God will love everyone the same way, even. But if our actions are modeled on God's, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven", then that attribute is already God's, even more intensely than it should be ours.

 

[damoncrowe]

oops

 

[damoncrowe]

Psalm 5:4-6
For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness'
Nor shall evil dwell with you'
The boastful shall not stand in your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity,
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the bloodthirty and deceitful man.

Now we know that we are all workers of iniquity as the psalmist was also, so we must interpret this according to all of scripture. I think the difference is whether we are judged by our own works or by Christ's works. The "workers of iniquity" go before God wearing their own garments, but we wear Christ's white robe. I think it is innaccurate to say that God loves the wicked. Many people think that John 3:16 says that God loves everyone in the world, but upon further examination it does not.
John 3:16
For God SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .

The word "so" here that is emphasized above is not a quantitative (God loved the world so much), but is qualitative (God loved the world like this). The Greek word here is houtos, which means "in this manner." In other words, God is not saying that He loves the world soooo much, rather He is stating in what way He loves His elect. Furthermore, there are far too many instances of "cosmos" referring to either only all believers or to only all unbelievers.

 

[JM]

Does God love those who were appointed to disobedience (1 Peter 2.8)? .

Does God love those who, as natural brute beasts, are made to be taken and destroyed (2 Peter 2.12)? .

Does God love those who were before of old ordained to "this condemnation (Jude 4)"?

Does God love those who's hearts He hardened?

Did God love Jacob and hate Esau before they did anything good or evil?

 

[bradfordl]

Does God love those who were appointed to disobedience (1 Peter 2.8)? .

Does God love those who, as natural brute beasts, are made to be taken and destroyed (2 Peter 2.12)? .

Does God love those who were before of old ordained to "this condemnation (Jude 4)"?

Does God love those who's hearts He hardened?

Did God love Jacob and hate Esau before they did anything good or evil?

No
No
No
No
Yes