BUT DOESN'T GOD LOVE EVERYONE EQUALLY?

​Many presuppose the goodness of man and fail to understand the Holiness and justice of God. But doesn't God love everyone, equally?
 
Those Whom God Hates
The answer is clearly, No! The Bible is quite clear that there are actually many whom God hates. "These six things the Lord hates, yes seven are an abomination to Him; a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." Proverbs 6:16-19

"Let no one deceive you with empty words because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Ephesians 5:6
 
Does God Hate You?
The proud, liars, murderers, the wicked, those who rush to do evil, false witnesses and those who sow discord among brethren are among those who God declares that He hates.
 
The Fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom
"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." Proverbs 8:13
 
"I hate the double minded, but I love Your Law." Psalm 119:113
 
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." Romans 12:9
 
"Who will rise up for Me against evildoers? Who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity?" Psalm 94:16
 
The Love of God
Of course: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
 
Common Grace
God does love the world in the sense that He sends common grace, He makes the sun shine on the righteous and on the unrighteous. He causes the rain to fall on the fields of the wicked and of the just. He loves the world so much that He came in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ and whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Everyone has benefited because of the coming of Christ and all the tremendous blessings that have come from the Word of God and the work of God's Holy Spirit. Hospitals, schools, the abolition of slavery, the rule of law, Christian charity, missions and so much more have immeasurably improved the life of everyone on earth. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36
 
Egalitarianism is Unbiblical
However, common grace does not mean that God loves everybody equally. Not even a declaration from the United Nations could enforce egalitarianism on God! Nothing in all of creation is equal. Pigeons are not equal to eagles and zebras are not equal to lions. No one is equal. Not in opportunity, nor in skills, nor in talents, nor in gifts. People are not equal in their abilities, in their energy, or in their motivation. Some people work hard and sacrifice much. Others squander their resources and energy in gambling and vices.
 
Forcing Everyone to be Equal is Unworkable
Secular humanist philosophers may wish that everyone be forced to be equal, but it has proven to be unworkable. As Winston Churchill declared: "Socialism could only work in Heaven, where it is not needed, or in Hell, where they already have it."
 
Socialism is Legalised Theft
As Margaret Thatcher observed: "The problem with Socialism is that sooner, or later, you run out of other people's money."
 
Rewards and Punishments
Those who work hard are rewarded. Those who are unprofitable servants are cast into outer darkness. In the parable of the talents (Luke 19:12-27), our Lord taught that He would generously reward those who were faithful and wise in serving Him, but the unproductive, He condemned. "For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." Luke 19: 26
 
Freedom to Fail or Succeed
There is nothing egalitarian about the Bible. Equality before the Law is commanded (Numbers 15:15-16). However no one can enforce equality of effort, nor equality of results.
 
Inequality in Scripture
In the Scriptures we read that Enoch walked with God, that Abraham was chosen to be the Father of God's people. Abraham is described as the friend of God. Moses spoke to God face to face. David was described as "a man after God's own heart". John, the Apostle, is described as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". The Lord made it clear that there would be different degrees of judgment. He warned that it would be better for the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah than for Capernaum on the Day of Judgment. How could that be? Because, evil as Sodom and Gomorrah were, they never had a Bible. Nor did the Messiah walk their streets. However, Capernaum had the Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles working miracles in their streets and yet the people of Capernaum rejected His grace and mercy.
 
The Day of Judgment
We will be judged according to the light that we have received. To whom much is given, much is required. To whom much more is given, much more is required. The Scriptures also make clear that there will be different degrees of rewards in Heaven. "Each one's work will become clear for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
 
On the Day of Judgment, where will you stand?
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
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Frontline Fellowship
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Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
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