Encouraging Faith

I have often heard well-intentioned Christians say, "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner." But as I read Scripture, I am not convinced as to just how accurate that statement is. Certainly, God loves us. That is why Christ came to earth to die on the cross for our forgiveness. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Or again, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

In the original Greek, "propitiation" has to do with atonement. It means that God's wrath is satisfied in Christ's sacrifice on the cross. His anger is appeased and His mercy is bestowed upon all who believe. God having "sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10) is the ultimate expression of God's love toward man. (W.E. Vine, M.A., Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia, no copyright], 906-07)

As to God loving the sinner, consider the following Scriptures: "God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day" (Ps. 7:11). "The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates" (Ps. 11:5). "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36). "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6). "But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Rom. 2:5). "But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath" (Rom. 2:8).

The sin is nothing apart from the sinner. The unrepentant sinner aligns himself against God. This offends God and makes the sinner the direct object of His wrath. Nahum points out, "God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies" (Nah. 1:2).

The key to experiencing God's love and mercy, rather than His wrath, is repentance and faith. That is why the Lord seeks repentance from sinners. That is also why the Lord encourages faith for the sinner. Repentance and faith turns away God's wrath and ushers in love and mercy and forgiveness for the penitent believer.

Therefore, repent! Confess your sin before the Lord and receive His forgiveness. Turn to God in faith. Trust Jesus. Amen.