Why does God love us?

[Webers.Home]

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The love that God has for His own, is different than the love He has for the world; for
example:

● John 5:20 . . For the Father loves the Son

● John 16:27 . . The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have
believed that I came from God.

The Greek word for love in both those verses pertains to fondness and affection,
whereas the Greek word in John 3:16 speaks of benevolence but not necessarily
fondness or affection.

Benevolence includes things like Pity, Concern, Sympathy, Empathy, Kindness,
Generosity, Lenience, Tolerance, Deference, Sensitivity, and Understanding.

So we could paraphrase John 3:16 like this:

"God felt so sorry for the world that He gave His only begotten son."

Sometimes it's difficult to believe the Old Testament's fire and brimstone God is even
capable of sympathy, let alone be so strongly moved by it to sacrifice His next of kin for
people who hate His guts. (cf. 1John 4:10)
_

 

[HeIsHere]

Not sure what you mean.

Love is not connected to merit, rewards and earnings can be connected to merit.

So what does it mean to say there is nothing in us to merit God's love when there is no connection.

I say it is dismal because it has that underlying allusion to total depravity.

Why not make it positive and state >>>>>> God loves everyone and no one needs to try to earn His love because God is love. The end!

 

[Cameron143]

Love is not connected to merit, rewards and earnings can be connected to merit.

So what does it mean to say there is nothing in us to merit God's love when there is no connection.

I say it is dismal because it has that underlying allusion to total depravity.

Allude away. Just don't presume away.

And feel free to tell me what there is in fallen mankind worthy of God's delight.

 

[HeIsHere]

Allude away. Just don't presume away.

And feel free to tell me what there is in fallen mankind worthy of God's delight.

Delight and Love are not the same.

I always love my children no matter what they do, but sometimes what they do delights me.

 

[Cameron143]

Delight and Love are not the same.

I always love my children no matter what they do, but sometimes what they do delights me.

I was hoping for scripture but I'll settle for experience.

 

[notmyown]

Allude away. Just don't presume away.

And feel free to tell me what there is in fallen mankind worthy of God's delight.

"The love of God does not find, but creates that which is pleasing to it. Sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive."
- Luther

 

[HeIsHere]

I was hoping for scripture but I'll settle for experience.

That's odd I do did not read any scripture to support your assertion in post #6

>>>>> Love knows know merit <<<<

Corinthians 16:14: Do everything in love.

The Good News is God so loved the world, but few believe it.

 

[HeIsHere]

"The love of God does not find, but creates that which is pleasing to it. Sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive."
- Luther

Beautiful and Thank you!!
I see Luther knew what I am trying to express, a man ahead of his time.
Amen

 

[Moriniko111]

I stand corrected but in my small understanding of who God is according to the bible, God is love. Him being the embodiment of love draws Him to love His creation and thats man-kind inclusive. Now we don’t deserve it because of our sinful nature but through Jesus Christ we were adopted into God’s family as His children. Thats why we call Him Abba Father. Isn’t it only right for a father to love his own child? The love of God is perfectly described in the story of the prodigal son. So in conclusion God loves us because of who He is and that’s love itself.

 

[notmyown]

Beautiful and Thank you!!
I see Luther knew what I am trying to express, a man ahead of his time.
Amen

you're very kind

actually, Luther there is agreeing with Cameron. there's nothing in the fallen sinner to appeal to God. God must create what appeals to Him beginning with the new birth and continuing with sanctification. and One Day, with glorification.

 

[HeIsHere]

you're very kind

actually, Luther there is agreeing with Cameron. there's nothing in the fallen sinner to appeal to God. God must create what appeals to Him beginning with the new birth and continuing with sanctification. and One Day, with glorification.

No this does not support @Cameron143.

He was speaking about merit, again a different meaning than "attractive."
Here Luther is speaking about love being unconditional even towards the sinner.

I think blanket statements are a problem and one needs to be careful when making them

If God’s favor is unmerited, why did he pick Mary? Why not pick some other girl? Why not pick Elizabeth?

For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews

So there is a quality (faith) that does please God, or God finds attractive.

 

[Cameron143]

No this does not support @Cameron143.

He was speaking about merit, again a different meaning than "attractive."
Here Luther is speaking about love being unconditional even towards the sinner.

I think blanket statements are a problem and one needs to be careful when making them

If God’s favor is unmerited, why did he pick Mary? Why not pick some other girl? Why not pick Elizabeth?

For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews

So there is a quality (faith) that does please God, or God finds attractive.

You are correct, faith does please God. But unrepentant man does not possess such faith. So as God considers mankind, He enters into saving relationship with him based on their coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
My comments were based on mankind in general. You made it specific on purpose and not in accordance with what I believe was the OP's intention or my intention.
Thus, you presumed upon my statements more than intended. This generally happens when things are disagreed upon in other threads and one party still feels aggrieved. So, if I have offended you in the past, please accept my sincere apology. It is never my intention to offend.

 

[Magenta]

You said yes right in contradiction to the answer Gods word shows us, God didnt love esau He hated him. So next question according to Rom 9:13 did God hate Jacob ?

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

The yes was in relation to we know. Yes, we know you refuse to accept what the words really mean.

 

[EricH]

Did God Love Esau ? Rom 9:13

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

A couple more lines after Romans 9 :13

13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[e]

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[f]


Despite God saying 'Esau I hate', how do you know if God will or will not show him mercy?

 

[brightfame52]

The yes was in relation to we know. Yes, we know you refuse to accept what the words really mean.

lol So did God Love Esau or hate him Rom 9:13

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

 

[brightfame52]

A couple more lines after Romans 9 :13

13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[e]

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[f]


Despite God saying 'Esau I hate', how do you know if God will or will not show him mercy?

Did God hate Esau like He said ?

 

[Magenta]

This isnt about the action of men, but its about God not loving all, when He plainly tells us He hates some people Rom 9:13

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Does God Love esau ?

3404. miseó
Strong's Concordance
miseó: to hate
Original Word: μισέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: miseó
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-eh'-o)
Definition: to hate
Usage: I hate, detest, love less, esteem less.
HELPS Word-studies

3404 miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or some-
thing less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.

Lk 14:26: "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (3404 /miséō, 'love less' than the Lord) his own father and
mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (NASU).

[Note the comparative meaning of 3404 (miséō) which centers in moral choice, elevating one value over another.]

 

[Cameron143]

lol So did God Love Esau or hate him Rom 9:13

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Love here and hate don't mean love or hate as emotions. God is inclined towards one and is not disposed towards the other.
If it means hate as you suppose, God would not only be Love but Hate.

 

[brightfame52]

3404. miseó
Strong's Concordance
miseó: to hate
Original Word: μισέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: miseó
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-eh'-o)
Definition: to hate
Usage: I hate, detest, love less, esteem less.
HELPS Word-studies

3404 miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or some-
thing less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.

Lk 14:26: "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (3404 /miséō, 'love less' than the Lord) his own father and
mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (NASU).

[Note the comparative meaning of 3404 (miséō) which centers in moral choice, elevating one value over another.]

Does God hate Jacob ? Rom 9:13

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

 

[brightfame52]

Love here and hate don't mean love or hate as emotions. God is inclined towards one and is not disposed towards the other.
If it means hate as you suppose, God would not only be Love but Hate.

Did God Hate Esau ? Yes or No