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NASB | Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 1:20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. [Ps 19:1-4; Eph 2:10] |
Subject: Is God somehow responsible? |
Bible Note: Dear John Reformed, I was following the discussion on the question "Is God somehow repsonsible" until I read your reply. If I may say "I was so stunned" by your statement that God loves only the Christians. All along I thought God loves all as in ALL (all people universaly as you put it). In a layman's point of view, I strongly disagree with that view in regards to the following verses that I believe prove otherwise. 1) John 3:16 say "For God so love the world ...whoever believes in HIM..." The question here is who is the "WORLD?" I believe the world refers to the righteous and unrighteous; believers and unbelievers; Christians and Gentiles. Furthermore, it says 'WHOEVER' that I am quite sure means "anyone whether Christians or Gentiles." 2) If God only loves the Christians, what is His feeling towards the unbelievers, moreso to the soul who are already in hell? I can't say HE neither love nor hate them because there ie no neutral ground when it comes to God (you are either hot or cold; Rev.3:15). Then, God must hate the unbelievers. But with this view, the following verses will prove otherwise. The following verses will prove that God loves the unbelievers too. 2Pt. 3:9 says "...not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Ezekiel. 18:23 says " Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD . Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? Ezekiel 18:32 says "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD . Repent and live!" In fact, the preceeding verses tell us that God is wanting the unbelievers to repent and be save. Would God takes time and effort, not mentioning giving His Son to die on the cross, to the unbelievers if He does not love them? Just look at the story of Nineveh in the of Jonah. Though the people of Nineveh were wicked but because God loves them, He sent Jonah that they may repent and so they did. You might want to read Jonah 4:10-11. Later in history, we learned that Nineveh was still detroyed because they went back to their wickedness. But God loved them. Jesus died for all sins (sins of the Christians and unbelievers) that is why everyone is invinted to come and have feast with the Lord (Jn. 3:16 - 'whoever believes shall not perish but have everlasting life.'). Since He died for all sins, He must have loved/loves all people. Though Jesus died for all and loves all people, it does not mean all/everyone will be saved. It is up to individual if he/she will accept the gift of eternal life from God. The gift of God to all is eternal life BUT THAT GIFT WILL NEVER BE YOURS OR MINE UNLESS WE TAKE THAT GIFT FROM HIM. MEANING THE GIFT, THOUGH IT IS FREE AND FOR US, WILL REMAIN IN GOD'S POSSESSION UNLESS WE ACCEPT AND TAKE IT. In Christ, Romans |