Does God love everyone? Does God love everyone the same?

[missmuffet]

 

 

I have a chart somewhere but can't find it on the different views people have of the millennium.

 

 

http://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/40285

 

Premillennialism 

Premillennialism takes its name from its assertion that Christ will return prior to this thousand-year period. There are two major forms of premillennialism: historic and Dispensational. Both versions believe that Christ's return will be preceded  . . .  break

 

 

 

And this has to do with the question of the love of God how exactly?

 

Got me  

[missmuffet]

 

D.C. Carson is also a Calvinist.That is two marks against Carson for me.

 

Just a thought . . . 

 

and this is for anyone, not directed at or to bopeep, but to us all . . . .

 

If we disagree with some one on a point of doctrine, does that make them wrong about other doctrines? If someone, even an unbeliever, quotes the Bible, does the bible become less true, because of who said it, or because they believe something different?

 

So, to me, if this is how we want to think of things, I should never pay attention to anything any pastor I have ever heard, or any Christian author, has ever written, because I can probably find some point of disagreement. 

 

If we disagree with someone, especially on peripheral issues, such as the millennium or  "Calvinism", do we not stop to consider, that perhaps it is we who are wrong, and instead of them? I find it more that likely, that I am probably wrong about something, but if I lay out my case, with scripture, I hope that people can look past me, to what the scripture says, and take direction from the bible, not me, the imperfect sinner.

 

Now, back to the subject of the love of God . . . . PLEASE!

 

I speak of what I believe because that is what the Bible tells me.I have to speak the truth of what I see.I am not trying to pass off my beliefs on others.But as a Christian I do have the right to believe as I choose.

[Matthew T.]

Just a thought . . . 

 

and this is for anyone, not directed at or to bopeep, but to us all . . . .

 

If we disagree with some one on a point of doctrine, does that make them wrong about other doctrines? If someone, even an unbeliever, quotes the Bible, does the bible become less true, because of who said it, or because they believe something different?

 

So, to me, if this is how we want to think of things, I should never pay attention to anything any pastor I have ever heard, or any Christian author, has ever written, because I can probably find some point of disagreement. 

 

If we disagree with someone, especially on peripheral issues, such as the millennium or  "Calvinism", do we not stop to consider, that perhaps it is we who are wrong, and instead of them? I find it more that likely, that I am probably wrong about something, but if I lay out my case, with scripture, I hope that people can look past me, to what the scripture says, and take direction from the bible, not me, the imperfect sinner.

 

Now, back to the subject of the love of God . . . . PLEASE!

 

 

I think there are many differences in what we "understand", one to another, that does not affect other topics. But it's a slippery slope, especially to the young. One thing I've found that I am better off avoiding, is any opinion on ANY subject, formed by anyone that concludes the issue of "salvation" in error. The reason I say that is, I was made very aware and became adept in all the issues that perspective will skew, because literally EVERY other subject we could possibly study will be affected by how we interpret salvation. How do I know? It took me TWELVE YEARS in the beginning of my Christian walk with God to discover I had been "taught" wrongly by men... and to be honest, it was the most difficult thing I've ever had to overcome. I STILL cannot look back on that without hard feelings, but I get comfort in knowing that God ultimately purposed it for good within me.

 

I just realized a couple of day ago that the reason I have such a hard time understanding how some people come up with what they say here, on Worthy even, is because there are Calvinists here. Calvinists are dedicated to what they do. But great day. I examined what they say on quite a few different subjects, scratch my head in wonder as they hit what may be considered on the target somewhere, but always far from the bulls eye... and THEN learn why: because they think they are "chosen" for good while others are "created" for punishment specifically.

 

And here, on the subject of the "love" of God? How could ANYONE possibly express a correct thought about that without having experienced the "perfect" love of God yourself? God's word is more than words. There are sooo many people that "THINK" themselves saved. And they are in the most danger...because they may not become aware "in time" to correct their error.

 

All that said, people get confused when they "read" about the love of God. All throughout the Old Testament, the Bible CLEARLY speaks of the "different" ways God feels about people. Some He blessed because He loved. Some He blessed because He promised another they would be blessed. He blessed yet others because of Israel, themselves (like the U.S. HAS been blessed, like DAVID was blessed). And yes. We can "read" where God expressed Himself as "hating" others. So, while we "read", we're just all sorts of confused because we are in the midst of people telling us that God "created" this one for reward, He "created" others for eternal punishment, some say God loves everyone, some say not everyone. God DOES have something He wants us to see as people "tried" to live under the Old Covenant. He wants us to see that yes, His opinions do vary, one from another, if you want to pin Him on the law and make everything about you subject to your "performance". We are given an IN DEPTH look at every bit of that. Just keep reading the Old Covenant.

 

But then I was dragged out of my house... by very strong men. They broke in at a very unexpected time and drug me out in the midst of alot of people! They drug me out, spat on me, called me names... and I was gravely afraid because I had been caught. Neither had the woman I was with escaped their clutches. I had been caught violating the law in such a way that I knew what was going to happen to me and I was crippled with fear. I was about ready to lose my life because the penalty for what I had been caught doing was... death. I was literally shut down with fear. I was overwhelmed. Escape was impossible.

 

Then they drug me down the street and into a church. They beat me as we went and I was dragged. My legs would not straighten. I don't know what they had planned but I figured they were taking me to the town limits to stone me to death... O God... I had seen that before and it is a gruesome way to die. I was sick... throwing up... the life in me gone.

 

They threw me upon the ground in front of this man... the whole crowd behind me, this one man in front of me. I didn't know who He was, but I figured He was to be my judge. They said, "Jesus! This man we just caught fornicating with the wife of another man here! What say You in what should be done with him?!"

 

The mob was angry. I was so sorry for what I'd done, but it was too late for that. I didn't even need to hear what this man was going to say... this man named Jesus. Then the Man knelt down in front of me... He made motion on the floor, leaving nothing on the floor but I could tell what He formed with his fingers as He wrote invisibly. He was writing, 'Repent'.... But it made no sense to me. It was way too late for that. I had tried to tell the crowd I was sorry... that I would never do that again, but they weren't interested. I had no hope within me.

 

Then that man stood up. He picked up a rock and tossed it up and caught it with his hand over and over. Then I heard Him say, "Let any among you without sin cast the first stone."  He then knelt again, and AGAIN I could tell He was writing 'Repent' invisibly upon the floor...

 

I thought to myself that this would be my end. They weren't even going to take me to the city limits! Wasn't THAT the law?? I WANTED my few extra minutes of life! But I was going to die miserably right here, right now. It was what I deserved.

 

Then the Man stood back up and pointed the rock at one of the men in the crowd, as if to hand him the rock. The man looked at this Jesus, turned away, and pushed through the crowd as he left! Jesus pointed the rock at another man! I knew THIS would surely be my end! That man also dropped his gaze, turned and left! I couldn't believe it! This man Jesus did that over, and over and over until half of the men were gone... and then the other half all together began walking away!!!

 

What was happening here??!!  They weren't even taking me with them! They LEFT me there with this man Jesus!

 

Finally, no one was left standing there but me and Jesus. I could see Him out of the corner of my eye, but I couldn't look at Him. I was ashamed and bewildered. I stank because I was nasty and very unclean. He touched me on the shoulder and said, "Matt? Where is everyone? Does anyone remain to condemn you?" (I didn't know at the time how He knew my name).

 

I said, "No, Sir. They have all gone?" I looked at Jesus as confused as I ever was. Then Jesus looked at me and said, "I don't condemn you either, Matt. Now go. And sin no more." With that Jesus dropped the rock at our feet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The bible is a wonderful book. It tells us alot "about" God. But when God comes inside of you to live? The bible becomes something else entirely. It's goes from being a way to know "about" God, to the way we can "actually know" God. There's a huge difference between the two.

 

There are a great many people in this day and time that "think" they know what salvation is, and that they even have it. I would hope so. But many are wrong...wrong about what salvation is, and wrong about having it. It is to be between each of us to discern, between God and us personally. May God bless everyone in knowing the Truth about yourself NOW, before it's too late.

 

Does God love people the same? Differently? We get a VERY good look at that in the bible. But then Jesus came to us and changed everything. If ANYONE should be hated, brothers and sisters, not disliked, but HATED, it should be me. But I know to the testimony of God, that He loves me... and He loves ALL of us. Do I understand how that is? No. Not exactly. But what God says is clear enough. Pardon me if I just live my life being glad of that. What else would we need?

[Littlelambseativy]

D.C. Carson is also a Calvinist.That is two marks against Carson for me.

Calvinists can be Christians too Bobeep...they are still your brother and sister

Did I say they were not?I just do not support Calvinism.

Do you really understand all of Calvinism? Why so strident ? Non of the great reformers was perfect yet God used each one to suit His purpose. I may not agree with all of them but if they are anointed by God we should be careful when we hold them in contempt. If I misunderstood your stance I apologize.

[missmuffet]

 

 

 

D.C. Carson is also a Calvinist.That is two marks against Carson for me.

Calvinists can be Christians too Bobeep...they are still your brother and sister

Did I say they were not?I just do not support Calvinism.

Do you really understand all of Calvinism? Why so strident ? Non of the great reformers was perfect yet God used each one to suit His purpose. I may not agree with all of them but if they are anointed by God we should be careful when we hold them in contempt. If I misunderstood your stance I apologize.

 

Yes,I have read and studied Calvinism because of the interest of many Christians.I do not support Calvinism.The 5 point especially.

[Littlelambseativy]

D.C. Carson is also a Calvinist.That is two marks against Carson for me.

Calvinists can be Christians too Bobeep...they are still your brother and sister

Did I say they were not?I just do not support Calvinism.

Do you really understand all of Calvinism? Why so strident ? Non of the great reformers was perfect yet God used each one to suit His purpose. I may not agree with all of them but if they are anointed by God we should be careful when we hold them in contempt. If I misunderstood your stance I apologize.

Yes,I have read and studied Calvinism because of the interest of many Christians.I do not support Calvinism.The 5 point especially.

Which five point?

[missmuffet]

 

 

 

 

 

D.C. Carson is also a Calvinist.That is two marks against Carson for me.

Calvinists can be Christians too Bobeep...they are still your brother and sister

Did I say they were not?I just do not support Calvinism.

Do you really understand all of Calvinism? Why so strident ? Non of the great reformers was perfect yet God used each one to suit His purpose. I may not agree with all of them but if they are anointed by God we should be careful when we hold them in contempt. If I misunderstood your stance I apologize.

Yes,I have read and studied Calvinism because of the interest of many Christians.I do not support Calvinism.The 5 point especially.

Which five point?

 

Are you a Calvinist?You are not familiar with the 5 points of Calvinism?

 

http://www.gotquestions.org/Calvinist.html

[Ezra]

I am posing those two questions, because I believe they have two different answers. I think that as Christians, many of us may have an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of God's love. 

 

I good read, and an excellent free resource, is by noted New Testament scholar, Don Carson.

D. A. Carson makes God's love unnecessarily complicated.  Furthermore, he writes more to display his scholarship than to explain the love of God properly.

 

So to answer these questions, God does love everyone, and Scripture testifies to that (Jn 3:16).  As to whether God "loves" everyone equally, the question should be "Does God treat everyone equally? and the answer is "No".  It would be presumptuous for humans to assess whether God loves everyone "equally", but there is no question that He loves His entire creation and all humanity.  Otherwise He would not desire the salvation of all (1 Tim 2:1-4), and ultimately the liberation of His creation from bondage.

[missmuffet]

 

I am posing those two questions, because I believe they have two different answers. I think that as Christians, many of us may have an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of God's love. 

 

I good read, and an excellent free resource, is by noted New Testament scholar, Don Carson.

D. A. Carson makes God's love unnecessarily complicated.  Furthermore, he writes more to display his scholarship than to explain the love of God properly.

 

So to answer these questions, God does love everyone, and Scripture testifies to that (Jn 3:16).  As to whether God "loves" everyone equally, the question should be "Does God treat everyone equally? and the answer is "No".  It would be presumptuous for humans to assess whether God loves everyone "equally", but there is no question that He loves His entire creation and all humanity.  Otherwise He would not desire the salvation of all (1 Tim 2:1-4), and ultimately the liberation of His creation from bondage.

 

One of my pet peeves is that people make God's word way too complicated.Salvation is a very simple concept.Sometimes especially the new Christians come onto a Christian message board and get lost.They need only the basic theology.

[Omegaman 3.0]

 

I speak of what I believe because that is what the Bible tells me.I have to speak the truth of what I see.I am not trying to pass off my beliefs on others.But as a Christian I do have the right to believe as I choose.

 

One of my pet peeves is that people make God's word way too complicated.Salvation is a very simple concept.Sometimes especially the new Christians come onto a Christian message board and get lost.They need only the basic theology.

 

It is not only a right, it is a responsibility I believe. My only point is, that we need to be sure, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think that the Pharisees, thought they were doing well believing what the scriptures taught. When we substitute what we think the bible says, with what is actually says, we become blind leaders of the blind.  We need to be careful.  If I failed to give my brother of sister a fair hearing, and just ignore everything they way, because I disagree with some of it, I am the one who will suffer loss.

To me that is like panning for gold. In the pan, there is intermixed, sand and gravel, and gold nuggets. If the pan has sand in it, do I throw out the gold nuggets too? Or, is it better to inspect the contents of the pan and toss the gravel aside, but keep the gold nuggets?

 

I guess one of my pet peeves, is that some Christians want to thing the deep things of scripture, and over simplify them, losing the nuance. Some people may only be ready for milk, but that does not mean we need to deprive others of meat. However, I would agree that we shouldn't give Filet Mignon to an infant. Don Carson's book was called after all, the difficult doctrine of the love of God, not the simplied doctrine of the love of God. There is a reason Bibles come in various versions. They are not all equally easy to read, but they all have value.