Does God Really Love the Sinner, but Hate the Sin?
The Popular Phrase That's Wrong
You've probably heard it countless times: "God loves the sinner but hates the sin." It sounds comforting, even biblical. But what if this popular saying actually contradicts Scripture? What if it's keeping people from understanding the true urgency of the gospel?
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
What Scripture Really Says About God's Attitude Toward Sinners
The Uncomfortable Truth
The Bible doesn't paint the picture many expect. Consider these verses:
- "Thou hatest all workers of iniquity" (Psalm 5:5)
- "The wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth" (Psalm 11:5)
Notice: God doesn't just hate actions—He hates "workers" and "the wicked." These are people, not just behaviors.
Understanding God's Past-Tense Love
John 3:16 says God "so loved" the world—past tense. This love was demonstrated at the cross. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Apart from Christ's sacrifice, we remain under God's wrath, not His love.
Why This Truth Matters for Your Eternity
The Reality of God's Wrath
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18). This isn't directed at abstract sin—it's directed at ungodly people.
The prophet Nahum declares: "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies" (Nahum 1:2).
The Hope of Propitiation
Here's the beautiful truth: "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 4:10).
Propitiation means God's wrath has been satisfied through Christ's sacrifice. The wrath we deserved was poured out on Jesus instead.
Three Responses to Warning
Like people warned of approaching fire, there are three responses to God's warning:
- Believers - Those who immediately run to Christ for safety
- Hesitators - Those who think they have more time
- Deniers - Those who refuse to believe the danger is real
Which are you?
What You Must Do Now
For the Unbeliever
Don't minimize your condition. You're not on a "spiritual journey"—you're on death row. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
The good news? "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Romans 5:9).
For the Believer
Understanding what we've been saved FROM should compel us to tell others. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Corinthians 5:11).
The Complete Gospel
The gospel isn't just about God's love—it's about His love AND His wrath meeting at the cross. We cannot preach one without the other and claim to present the full biblical message.
Yes, God's wrath is real and terrifying. But so is His love and grace. The same verse that speaks of abiding wrath also speaks of everlasting life for those who believe.
The choice is yours. The consequences are eternal. The time is now.
🔥 Ready to hear the complete biblical message? 🎯
This powerful truth deserves deeper exploration! Listen to the full sermon for comprehensive expository preaching that examines every verse in context. This verse-by-verse bible teaching will challenge your understanding of God's character and strengthen your evangelistic urgency.
[Listen to the Complete Sermon - Biblical Expository Preaching]