Does God love the unrepentant sinner?

Does God love the unrepentant sinner?

by Charles Finney, from "The Guilt of Sin"

"God is angry with the wicked every day!" Psalm 7:11

God is not angry merely against the sin abstracted from the sinner, but against the sinner himself! Some people have labored hard to set up this ridiculous and absurd generalization, and would attempt to make it appear . . .
that God is angry at sin--yet not at the sinner;
that He hates the theft--but loves the thief;
that He abhors adultery--but is pleased with the adulterer.

Now this is supreme nonsense! The sin has no moral character apart from the sinner. The act of sin is nothing, apart from the sinful actor. What God hates and disapproves is not the mere event, the thing done, in distinction from the doer--but He hates the doer himself! It grieves and displeases Him that a rational and moral agent, under His government, should array himself against his own Creator, against all that is right and just in the universe. This is what offends God. The sinner himself is the direct and the only object of His anger!

So the Bible shows that God is angry with the wicked--and not with the abstract sin. If the wicked do no repent, God will whet His sword--He has bent His bow and made it ready--not to shoot at the sin, but the sinner--the wicked man who has done the abominable thing. This is the only doctrine of both the Bible, and of common sense on this subject.

"The wicked and those who love violence, His soul hates!" Psalm 11:5

"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished!" Proverbs 16:5

"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and maintains His wrath against His enemies!" Nahum 1:2

"Whoever whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36

"You are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:5

"But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil--there will be wrath and anger!" Romans 2:8

"What if God, choosing to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath--prepared for destruction?" Romans 9:22

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient." Ephesians 5:6

Hi savannah,

are you in agreement or disagreement with Finney on this subject ?

in agreement!

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:10 (KJV)
10 Herein 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 4:19 (KJV)
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

rbanks,

Who are the we's,us's,and our's,in these verses?

1 John 4:10 (KJV)
10 Herein 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 4:19 (KJV)
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Hi, rbanks

I do not think anything that was written, contridicts the verses that you posted.

quote-
that He hates the theft--but loves the thief;
-quote

I agree with much of Finney's writings but if we are not careful we could misinterpret.

Jesus appeased the wrath of God by suffering in the sinners place.

The "us" in all those verses at one time were sinners who had not yet repented.

///Who are the we's,us's,and our's,in these verses?///

Those whom were enemies of God, but now are 'reconciled to God by the death of his Son'

Those whom were enemies of God, but now are 'reconciled to God by the death of his Son'

-quote

So he had to love us before we repented.

It is the goodness and love of God that leads man to repentance.

///So he had to love us before we repented.///

That is Savannahs point, and a good one.

I caught it after I posted.

///It is the goodness and love of God that leads man to repentance///

But if Finney where correct, that God does not have any love for the sinner, than how could it be said that the goodness and love of God leads the sinner to repentance.

It does appear as an inconsistency in Finneys logic.

Who are the we's,us's,and our's,in these verses?

we us our = you/your/beloved/called/saints

The answer to the question is given from John, the inspired author of the letter. Keeping in mind that it is in truth the the Holy Spirit's answer, Who is none other than God Himself.

1 John 1:4 And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.

And again,the answer to the question is given from Paul, the inspired author of the letter. Keeping in mind that it is in truth the the Holy Spirit's answer, Who is none other than God Himself.

Romans 1:7 To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

rbanks wrote ///I agree with much of Finney's writings but if we are not careful we could misinterpret.
Jesus appeased the wrath of God by suffering in the sinners place.
The "us" in all those verses at one time were sinners who had not yet repented.///

I think I have to agree with you on this one rbanks, Well said.

I use to read Finney's writings and was blessed but was always troubled by some of those inconsistency's.

I believe it was because of the time of his ministry and what he was dealing with concerning the church and so many were not truly converted.

He was stirred about so many that had excepted teachings without true repentance in their life.

I think sometimes he went a little overboard in trying to get true repentance in people.

God Bless you proudpapa!

Have a good night!!

God Bless you rbanks!

Have a good night!!

savannah,

wrote //// we us our = you/your/beloved/called/saints////

not all of the called are chosen.
yet the calling or drawing is evidence of Gods Love.

The Inspired Scripture says : John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw (all men) unto me.

The Inspired Scriptures teach, That Jesus did not die for all, but is drawing all, and commanding all to repent. (and those whosoever will repent, He died for)

His Infinite Wisdom before the foundation of the world which searcheth the reins and hearts,
Which foreknew who would respond to His draw (call) after He was lifted up.

By His determinate counsel, He foreknew What way each and every man,s heart would deviseth, So from this Infinite Wisdom the Lord directeth (He predestinated) each mans steps.

From the Foundation of the World, God is choosing a few, out of the many that, He is calling and commanding and drawing.

Acts 17:30 He commandeth (draw) (call) ALL MEN every where to repent.

This is Why The Bible says that He: Acts 17:26
"hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation"

SO that : v.27 "they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:"

The "everyone of us" is, every accountable aged person in this dispensation of time.

God is no longer winking at any of His offspring, They are all being drawn, called and commanded to repent!

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Jesus in Luke 17 v 21 says "...behold, the kingdom of God is within you." notice to whom He is spoke this to.

"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?"

What a Loving Gracious God calling whoesoever will to come to Him!