Dr. R. C. Sproul believed the phrase “God loves you” is often proclaimed indiscriminately to a group of people which may include both unbelievers and believers. Therefore, two questions could be asked about the use of this phrase in the work of evangelism.
First, “Is this phrase true?”
Second, “Do the words reflect a biblical presentation of the gospel?”
These questions are not meant to stir up controversy. The inquiry represents an honest desire to do God’s work God’s way, especially in the presentation of the gospel. Words are important in Scripture. One of the most important theological truths in the Bible rests on the difference between the singular and the plural.
In Galatians 3:16, the text says, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ” (Gal. 3:16).
Because God is careful with words and phrases, the Church should be concerned enough to make the presentation of the gospel accurate and precise.
The Distinguishing Love of God
When the love of God is studied in Scripture, distinctions are noted. Historically and theologically three types of divine love are understood.
There is the love of benevolence, where God is kind and gracious to the whole world. His character is one of benevolence. The Lord is disposed to doing good. His mercies are new every day; great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23). His benevolent love falls on everyone without exception.
There is the love of beneficence, where God’s attitude toward the world is displayed in universal goodness. The Lord causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45).
There is the love of complacency, which is the area of concern in evangelism. Complacency, when used in a theological sense does not mean smugness, or indifference. Rather, the complacency of God is that unique love the Father has for the Son, and for all whom He has given the Son, meaning, the elect. The elect of God are adopted into the family of God and are loved by the Father because they are in Christ. Apart from Christ, no one has a right to claim the agape, the unique love of God.
The distinguishing love of God for Jesus and the elect is important to communicate because when an unbeliever hears, “God loves you,” the natural response is reasonable and predictable. The unbelievers says to himself, “This is good news indeed. I do not have to change. God loves me as I am. I can remain a practicing homosexual. God loves me. I can remain in a state of adultery. God loves me. I do not have to show any good works associated with regeneration. God loves me as I am.”
When people are told “God loves you” without clarification, when the non-Christian hears that God loves them unconditionally, the gospel is perverted and the honor of the Lord is disgraced. The truth is that the hatred of God for some is also part of Biblical theology.
“The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity” (Psalm 5:5).
Study Leviticus 20:23; 26:30; Psalm 5:6; 11:5; Deuteronomy 18:12l 22:5; Malachi 1:2; Romans 9:13
It is not just iniquity God hates, but the person who works iniquity. It is not sin that will join the Devil in the Lake of Fire, but the sinner. Time and again in Scripture the terrifying language of God hating the wicked is set forth.
When Biblical words are used in association with the unbeliever, they do not convey a sweet acceptance and inclusiveness into the Royal Family. “Nicodemus, you must be born again” (John 3:3). When John was baptizing people he asked the Pharisees and Sadducees, “who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matt. 3:7).
The apostle Peter demanded people repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins; with the promise given, “you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). God now commands “all men everywhere to repent,” declared Paul (Acts 17:30). God does not just invite people to repent, He commands them to bow low and He will raise them higher than they have ever thought possible.
There are many verses in the Bible which declares the unique love of God for His own. It is to the elect, to those who are in Christ Jesus, to those who have repented and called on the name of the Lord, that it can be said, “God loves you.” The special love of God is selective, personal, and united to be in Christ. The elect of God, those born of the Spirit alone can rejoice when they hear it being said, “God loves you.”
Those who are the objects of God redeeming grace can say, “God loves us.”
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 4-5).
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38, 39).
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:4).
When evangelism takes place, the gospel should be protected. This is done by presenting the Ruin of Man by the Fall (Romans 3:23; 6:23), the Redemption that is offered in the sacrificial work of Christ for sinners (Romans 10:9,10), and the hope of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
To tell people that God hates the wicked is not designed to be a wedge issue. The truth does not discourage any person from coming to Christ for salvation. The gospel tells those outside the Covenant of Grace that though they are the objects of God benevolent love, and beneficiary love, there is a greater love they can enjoy.
This greater love, this special love will be known when a person is born into the family of God. Those in a family know a special love that is deeper than that extended to friends and neighbors. So, it is with God. A divine alchemy takes place. The wrath of God is satisfied at the Cross, the anger of God is turned aside, and love replaces divine hatred.
“Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus just now, just now.
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus just now!Only trust Him,
Only trust Him,
Only trust Him just now.
Only trust Him,
Only trust Him, just now.He is able,
He is able,
He is able just now.
He is able,
He is able just now.He will save you,
He will save you,
He will save you just now.
He will save you,
He will save you just now.~Anonymous
When evangelism takes place, the gospel should be proclaimed with tenderness, and argued with affection. The Bread of Life is to be offered from the Father’s hand. The gospel is for the lost, to replace despair with joy unspeakable and full of glory in Christ Jesus because a sinner has come home.
“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me?Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me.O for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.”~Will Lamartine Thompson
When evangelism takes place, the gospel should be made personal. The terror of the Law is for the unbeliever, but the love of God is for those who flee to Christ to find shelter in His outstretched arms. When Christ is the refuge of the heart, the love of God is free to flow. The ears of the redeemed rejoice to hear the Bridegroom say to His Bride, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I will never let you go.”
“O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.”~George Matheson
The Collected Works of Stanford E. Murrell 