GOD LOVES EVERYONE

It is true that God loves everyone. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world (people) that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." However, not everyone has a loving relationship with God. Only those who genuinely believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have a loving relationship with Him. Many people misunderstand God's love, believing He accepts everyone, regardless of their beliefs. They think that everybody will go to heaven because God is love. They claim that if God is love, why would He send anyone to hell? They concluded that God accepts and loves everyone, regardless of religion or lifestyle. Ultimately, God will gather everyone to Himself and be with them forever. During our Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer, a Jewish father approached me and remarked that God accepts everyone, regardless of their religion, because God is love. What he was saying to me is that Christianity (Christian), Islam (Muslim), Hinduism (Hindu), Buddhism (Buddhist), Judaism (Jews), and Atheist (those who do not believe in God) do not matter at all because in the end God will accept everybody. 

Half of the verse of John 3:16 provides more understanding of God's love, highlighting the distinction between those who genuinely believe in the Lord Jesus and the rest of the religious community. It clearly shows that whoever believes in the only Son of God will not perish but have eternal life. God loves everyone that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the sins of the world, so those who believe in Him will be forgiven and saved from going to hell. God does not want anyone to perish in hell, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). In the end, only those who genuinely believe in Jesus will enter Heaven, and the rest will perish in hell. We must share this truth with others so that they will hear what the Bible says about God's love. 

We are blessed to have a wonderful love relationship with God through our faith in our Lord Jesus. Jesus died for our sins out of His love, which is open to everyone's acceptance. However, they cannot have a loving relationship with God until they believe in Jesus and surrender their lives to Him.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is the difference between those who believe in Jesus and other religions? How does a person be forgiven and be saved from perishing in hell? Do I genuinely believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin. I am saved from perishing in hell because of my genuine faith in my Lord Jesus. I pray for the salvation of those I know who are not believers yet. I pray that they will believe in you and be saved. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.