Can God really love the world as the Bible declares?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Since God has a hatred of sin, can He really love the world as the Bible declares? -- S.P.
A: These are the words of Jesus: "For God so loved the world" (John 3:16). He indeed loves the world, yet the world hates God. Many people do not believe this, but the Bible states it as fact. Many people reject the God who created them and gave them life. They do not want to even think about Him and so God gives them up to their own futile thoughts (Romans 1).
The Gospel of John records these staggering words of Jesus Himself, "(The world) hated Me" (John 15:18). There can be no question that the Scriptures teach that the devil is the "god of this Age," the present evil world system, and that the carnal mind is against God. Those who feed the flesh cannot please God. This is why God in Christ was despised and rejected by the world.
This hatred of mankind toward God and God's love toward the human race are fully displayed at the cross of Calvary. But this is the glorious place where God reconciled the world to Himself and where Christ the Redeemer died that mankind might live.
Strange that God should love those who hate Him. Yet He did, and He does. Christ died for one reason -- because of God's hatred of sin and His amazing love for us that He would make a way for the human race to be delivered from His judgment and to know His everlasting forgiveness. This is the amazing grace of God. "This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us" (1 John 4:10). How wonderful that Jesus purchased our redemption with His precious blood. Do not turn away from this blessed Savior.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
