In American society and in the church, many are quick to recite the phrase, “the love of God” or “God is love.” Although God is love (1 John 3:16), and God loves the world, using these phrases without proper biblical context can be problematic, or dare I say destructive. That last statement may seem to be puzzling, even harsh to some. However, let me explain my reasoning.
If we look at the testimony of Scripture, we can conclude that God loves humanity (John 3:16). He continually showed His love to His people Israel by rescuing them from Egypt (Exo. 20:2), leading them into the Promised Land (Joshua 3), extending mercy to their rebellion (Exo. 32:14), and sending prophets to exhort them to repentance. Indeed, He showed love and mercy even to those who were not “his people”. We see this in the story concerning Jonah. The Assyrians were a rebellious people who were a Gentile nation, and Israel’s enemy. Despite this fact, God sent the prophet Jonah to preach repentance in the great city of Ninevah. Ultimately, the city repented and God refrained from destroying 120,000 people (Jonah 4:11)!
The common theme we find throughout Scripture is God showing mercy on the just, as well as the unjust (Matt. 5:45). This does not mean He is in agreement with lawless behavior. It means that He is patient in dealing with His creation, for the sake of moving them to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance is having a change of mind which results in changed behavior. When Jesus went to the cross, He demonstrated the love and justice of God simultaneously (Rom. 3:23-26). Love, in the sense that He was willing to give Himself to be an atoning sacrifice for all humanity. In short, God the Father poured out His wrath on the Son. The wrath was a result of OUR rebellion. Our lawless behavior is rejecting the law of God (ex. 10 commandments). Since God is just, and we broke His law, our lawlessness had to be punished. God would not be a just God if He did not deal with our sin. He justly dealt with our sin by pouring out His wrath on His only Son, who Himself, was without sin (Isa. 53:10).
With that being said, when people recite God is love, in what context are they referring? Are they using it to say God loves my homosexuality? God loves me leaving my wife to be with another woman? God’s favor is upon me because He got me a job promotion? All of these statements, would be contrary to the testimony of Scripture. God does not love homosexuality or adultery, because it infringes on His law. Furthermore, obtaining a job promotion, or any other worldly accomplishment, is not evidence that one has favor with God.
Essentially, in many churches and in society, we have subtly created God in OUR image. He no longer values His righteousness, He values “our” happiness. Interestingly, I’ve heard a prominent pastor’s wife say, “We worship God for ourselves”. This is all too tragic and disheartening. When we devalue God’s righteousness for our happiness, effectively, we have begun to worship another god. Does this mean we should not be happy? No, it means that our happiness is hinged on God’s “righteousness” or “goodness”. If not, we will slowly drift into a lawless society that will destroy itself. As David writes,
“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction”
(Psa. 119:92)
May we move forward in humility and embody the words of Isaiah,
“These are the ones I (God) look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isa. 66:2)
