Our Lord made it perfectly clear that salvation is for everyone, since Christ’s death was for the whole world (Jn. 3:16). Let’s take a closer look at this to understand that there is absolutely no favoritism when it comes to the gospel message. The fact that it is to be taught to everyone (Mk. 16:15) is proof of this. Yet, let’s see additional evidence to this.

Your financial status doesn’t matter

When it comes to the grace of our Lord, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor. Unfortunately, people think those who are financially set are favored by God. Jesus said that the rain falls of the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45). The message of the cross has nothing to do with money, and the sooner people understand this, the better off they will be. Keep in mind, preaching the gospel to everyone means everyone!

Your standing with men doesn’t matter

It was the apostle Paul who said that, “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble , are called.” (I Cor. 1:26). Notice the text said not many. This implies some do respond to the calling of the gospel. It’s vital that all realize that our Father in heaven doesn’t care about your status in society. After all, the Lord isn’t looking for those who seek the approval of men. To receive the lifesaving message means to put the Lord first (Gal. 1:10).

Your education level doesn’t matter

In the Corinthian text we mentioned in our last point, in the same chapter the apostle stated, “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (I Cor. 1:23). To think you are required to have a high level of education to know the truth is false. In truth, many who reject the gospel are those who are very “smart” in man’s eyes. Remember that there are many intelligent people who fail to see the plain and simple gospel message.

Your sinful past doesn’t matter

For some, there is the idea that the gospel favors those who have lived a good, moral life. To think the gospel message isn’t for those who have lived a rough life, couldn’t be any more wrong. The fact is, everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23). No one is more deserving of the death of Jesus than anyone else. The power of the gospel will change the life of anyone that will to turn and follow the Lord. It even happened to one who considered himself the chiefest of sinners (I Tim. 1:15).

Your age doesn’t matter

Other than being a child that doesn’t have the capacity to understand right and wrong, there is no age limit. The point here is that someone might be thinking that they have lived too long in sin, there is no place for them in God’s family. Again, that is just not true. Christ’s parable about the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16), dealt with this issue. Sometime people don’t hear the gospel until they are older. Even though at their conversion they regret their past, they are welcomed into God’s family. That’s what the gospel does.

Your race doesn’t matter

There is nothing in the gospel message that favors a certain race. If someone thinks so, you can be sure they don’t understand the message of the cross (Rom. 1:16). It matters not the color of your skin. Let’s not create barriers that are just not there.

Chuck

Why does God love man?

Allow me to start this article by pointing out that God’s love is universal. God loves the whole world, and Christ came for everyone (John 3:16). This is very important for us to understand. When we focus on the “all,” we are forced to think about the “kinds” of people that includes. Since God loves the world, that means He loves everyone, no matter who they are.

We all know that terrible crimes take place in this world. Nothing sickens me more than hearing about human trafficking. Children are abducted and forced into all sorts of immoral activities. Moreover, there are senseless killings daily. Sadly, the list goes on (Gal. 5:19-21).

If God knows about the terrible things that happen on the earthy, why does He still love everyone? Before we answer this, we should consider the issue from a few perspectives. How would you look at someone who brutally hurt a loved one of yours? Would it not be hard to look at this person without seeing only the evil? Yet our God loves each and every person in this world, no matter what they have done. So again, why does He love us all?

Wrong reasons God loves everyone

God does not see their sins. This is not true. We are told that God sent His Son for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6-8).  Sin is what separates us from our Father (Isa. 59:1-2). Our transgressions have immediate consequences (Rom. 6:23). Our Creator sees the sins of this world and has done so since the beginning (Gen. 5:5). This false concept causes people to misunderstand God’s love.

God does not see sin as being “that bad”.  It is ludicrous to think that God would minimize the severity of sin in order to love us. How many would send their sinless, only son to die for the ungodly (Heb. 9:28). Our Father did it because there was a high price to be paid for sin, and we could not do for ourselves.

God is a God of love and not wrath. Some people think that our Father cannot be a God of love and wrath at the same time. We are told He is love (I John 4:8). We should also consider Paul’s warning: “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,” (Col. 3:6). God loves all of mankind, but we will also be held accountable for our sins.

Proper reasons God loves everyone

We are His creation. In the beginning God made everything, including man (Gen. 2:7, 21-22). When He created man, it was good (Gen. 1:31). Man was not born sin-stained – that happened when man decided to break God’s law (Rom. 5:12). We are fearfully and wonderfully made because God made us (Psa. 139:14).

We were created in His image.  Our bodies are amazingly complex, but it is even more impressive that we have souls. Our God is Spirit (John 4:24). Because we were created in His image (Gen. 1:26), we have the same spirit-like quality, meaning we each have a soul (Matt. 10:28). Our God knows the true value of souls. Jesus taught that a soul is worth more than all the wealth in the world (Matt. 16:26).

We all possess the ability to love Him in return. God expects us to love Him because He loved us first. This would not be a logical expectation if we were not capable of doing it (I John 4:19). Learning about our God and Creator will motivate us to love Him. Most people will not do this, but it does not mean they lack the ability.

Let us not ever be mistaken – God loves everyone. However, that love does not overlook transgression. Let’s love God and serve Him.

                                                                                               Chuck