The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "Love your enemies" and "Does God love all"

hisalone,

I would have to disagree with your rebuttal response: "is hatred because of their actions". ALL men are by nature under the wrath of God (Eph 2:3) because of who they ARE. What I am referring to, of course, is the biblical doctrine of Original Sin. All men at conception have imputed to them the guilt of Adam's sin, having sinned with and in him AND they inherit a corruption of nature which is totally opposed to God and all righteousness. (Rom 5:12, 17; 1Cor 15:21, 22; cf. Gen 6:5; 8:21; Ps 51:5; Jer 17:7; Matt 7:17-19; Jh 3:18, 19; Eph 4:17-19; et al) Thus, men are under God's wrath for who they are and then more so for the things they think, say and do; the fruits of their depraved nature.

Further, Rom 9:10-13 dispels the notion that men are hated because of what they do for it says:

Romans 9:10-13 (ASV) "And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

Jacob and Esau were twins; identical twins, i.e., of the same embryo. God's love was upon Jacob before he was born as was God's hatred of Esau before he was born . . . not having done anything good or bad. In this text it is indisputable that the love of God is inextricably tied to His eternal election. Thus it can truly be said that God's hatred is the opposite, i.e., His eternal decree of reprobation; His determination to not save. It is nowhere said that God loved Esau, especially in the same manner as Jacob.

In His grace,