Does God Hate Me?....the Wayfarer

Does God Hate Me?

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The opening verse should forever answer the title question that I have heard so many times throughout my life from both believer and nonbeliever facing adversity of one kind or another.

God holds no hatred or animosity toward mankind, or any individual man, woman or child, despite the perception held by those asking this question of themselves when the question should always be, "What does God Hate so much that we do not see His Love for us?"

It was not out of hatred of man that Adam was cast from the Garden of Eden. Indeed it was Love that placed him there to begin with, and Love that followed him from the place and purpose that he had spurned that continued his progeny's existence through today.

God could just as easily have terminated this creature once and for all, but showed the grace and mercy demanded by that Love despite the stubborn disobedience evidenced by this lesser creature.

As Cain was banished for his selfish sin after having killed a creature loved by God, his own brother, again that grace and mercy indicative of that Love were shown rather than any hatred toward the individual perpetrating the act of sinfulness.

As the men of Noah's time retreated further and further into the depths of depravity, trusting only in themselves and disregarding their Creator, Grace and Mercy once again were shown as the creature once again was salvaged, and given yet another chance to return to that Love that had placed them on the face of a planet, and a chance to find and accomplish the purpose for which they were salvaged.

Still, this creature continued, and continues, in its steadfast refusal to accept both purpose and placement, ever looking to blame that Creator for adversity rather than to see the cause of adversity that lies only within his own being, within his own heart, within his own priority that he places above the soul so dearly loved by his Father.

No, God does NOT hate mankind or individual, but rather Loves this creature enough to provide a means back to placement and purpose for all willing to find it, for all willing to perceive that Love, and to accept the terms of that Love  rather than to stubbornly cling to his own perception of superiority, even when his inferiority to the Creator becomes evident through the failures experienced because of the failure to recognize what has been demanded of us.

Many of those asking the opening question are thoroughly familiar with, and can and often do quote the scriptures given in both old and new testaments, particularly that of John 3:16.

John 3:16

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

God did and does love this creature enough to have sent Christ Jesus to deliver the Way, Truth and Life intended for each and every individual that  takes breath at birth, and continues to be blessed with that breath until the allotted time here is completed.

Not all of those that quote the precious passages that are proof of God's love complete those passages that require an effort on the part of this creature to accept the blessings promised, and fewer still acknowledge the warning of the consequences of refusal of that Love shown, favoring instead the stubborn refusal to admit to their own state of inferiority, their own state of sinfulness that requires repentance as was preached by that same Savior sent and sacrificed  in their stead.

John 3:17-21

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

To experience light, one must come to where the light exists, darkness cannot follow, or precede, nor in fact exist, in the presence of light.

To experience Love, true agape Love, to experience Mercy and Grace, man must leave behind what IS hated by God, comprehending that what is hated is not the creature himself, but the choices made by that creature that violate the nature of God's Love.

Jesus spoke a simple message to all, an all inclusive message for each and every violation of God's will for this creature.

That message provided the means for redemption for ALL mankind, providing the same requirement of ALL mankind, making a promise of blessing to ALL hearing that simple message and heeding the warning that accompanies it within the simplicity of His words.

Mark 1:14-15King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

¹⁵ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Small children are taught the simple hymn, Jesus Loves me.

Small children come through innocence to belief when taught the content of that hymn.

The truth of that simple hymn remains forever burned within the hearts of all who hear, not only that simple hymn, but come to comprehension of the requirements of that love as well, meeting the requirements of that gospel as given in the simple message preached by Christ Jesus.

God hates no one, He Loves ALL.

Choice of acceptance or refusal of that Love remains individual.

Belief or denial remain individual choice with consequences to be face by individual as well.

As for myself...I have and expect only His Love.

2 Timothy 1:12

King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer