Give me scripture.
The difference between one that is saved and one that is unsaved and that, yes one is going to Heaven and one is going to Hell.. But it is deeper than that.
Those that have been redeemed are made holy through the Blood of Christ. The redeemed have the Holy Spirit within them to guide them and to give them the strength to continuously pour out the gifts of the Spirit.
Those that are still captives in sin are not holy but are enemies of God. They do not have the Holy Spirit within them to guide them and they continuously show the works of the flesh instead of the gifts of the Spirit that Christians should be showing.
God's love is equal throughout the population regardless of salvation.
If it were not for eternal life, would I feel the same about God? Is this the only reason I love Him?
My friend. This question I have to chuckle at. I was saved when I was 13. I am 21 almost now.. Still a reckless teenager (in my mind) that has very little planning skills at all. Death is, like to many teenagers, 80 years away from me at this point in my life.
My mind, though focused on eternal goals is not a worshipper of God just for the prize of living forever. But to be satisfied in all He does. How can someone know He exists but only believe in Him to live forever? That is pointless.
I do not teach the youth at my church so that I can live forever. I do it to please Him who is my Creator and adopted Father through the blood that Christ so mercifully gave. So lovingly gave for all.
God isn't willing for any to perish.. But for ALL to have eternal life. And not just any life... But a life so full that it is running over onto others.
I may seem immature in my knowledge of God's Word I guess to you. Understand this, God loves you. God also loves your neighbor. Otherwise, why would He ask that your neighbor be saved? Does God suddenly feel warm affections towards your neighbor once they become redeemed? If so, is that really love?
Can you explain away 1 John 4:8? "Whoever does not love does not know God, because
God is love."
What about Romans 5:8? "But God demonstrates his own
love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
1st John 3:16? "This is how we know what
love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
Oh and of course John 3:16? "For God so
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2 peter 3:9? The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance. ("Love is Patient.. Love is Kind... " 1 Cor. 13)
1st John 4:19? "We love because he first
loved us."
1st John 2:2? "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of
the whole world."
You want Old Testament?
Ezekiel 33:11? "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'"
I've said this before but I'll say it again. You are mistaking the sin for the sinner.
Now, there are places in the Bible where it says, “God hates a sinner†or “God hates an evil man.†(usually in proverbs or Leviticus.. etc. ) But we have to understand that in the context, it’s reflecting that God hates that sin and what sin has made of that individual. Not the individuals themselves.
God must send those to hell who have not received redemption for their sin. He cannot lie so He must! He gave the redemption freely through His Son. He did this for everyone. No one is excluded. But there is no changing where you go, Heaven or Hell. God is Love but God is also Absolute and a Good God. A Judge.
I hope this provided some help.
I do not mean to be rude or act like a know it all. This is just what the Bible teaches and I'm surprised people question this..
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