There is no person on earth, living or dead, whom God hates. God loves everyone in the entire world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; Romans 5:8)—both Christians and non-Christians. After all, He made each and every human being (Psalm 139:13). His love has no terms and conditions either. Because He is love (1 John 4:8, 16), His deepest desire is to be with us and love us forever (John 17:20-26). That is some kind of love! Can you imagine mustering up love for someone who doesn't even think you exist?
While God does love the whole world, that does not mean He can totally ignore sin. God is also a God of justice (2 Thessalonians 1:6), and He cannot allow sin to enter Heaven. Eventually the sinful person (i.e. all of us) will have to pay the price (Romans 3:25-26). But God loves us too much to allow us to be subject to that fate. How does He help us overcome the penalty for our sins? By giving us a chance to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Even though we are sinful creatures, God shows us mercy by not instantly punishing us for our sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for us so that we wouldn't have to be punished forever. All we have to do is choose to accept His loving gift (Acts 16:31). Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
If a person chooses to ignore God's love, if they reject the Savior who paid the price for their sin (2 Peter 2:1), at the moment of that person's death, they enter into an eternity of God's wrath (Romans 1:18), not His love (Romans 6:23). But that's not how He wants it to end for anyone (1 Timothy 2:4).
For those who do choose to accept Christ as their Savior from sin's penalty, God lavishes them with His "covenant love" (John 3:36); that is the promise that we will experience His love and grace and mercy for all eternity. For those who choose evil, God hates their wickedness.
Does God love everyone? Yes, He does. Does God love Christians more than He loves non-Christians? Nope, not at all. His love is unconditional, meaning He loves human beings no matter what they do or say. We are His creations, and no matter how rebellious we want to be, He will always have immeasurable love for us.
It is the truth of God's amazing, unconditional love that draws people to have faith in His existence and in His promises, as they embrace His love with gratitude. Those who return His love with faith and acceptance of the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ will be rewarded with the benefit of eternal grace and mercy and the promise of God's forever love in Heaven.
Yes, God loves every human being (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; Romans 5:8). Does God love Christians more than He loves non-Christians? Nope, not at all. His love is unconditional, meaning He loves all people no matter what they do or say. We are His creations, and no matter how rebellious we are, He will always have immeasurable love for us.
Cat is the web producer and editor of 412teens.org. She is known as "412teens" on the 412teens Discord. She loves audiobooks, feeding the people she cares about, and using Christmas lights to illuminate a room. When Catiana is not cooking, gardening, or practicing creativity, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, five socially-awkward cats, and her amazing friend-amily.
