We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. — 1 John 3:16
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. — John 15:13
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— — Revelation 1:5
Absolutely. Well stated. It's surprising how many people, especially so called "American Christians" believe that God cannot "hate". Our culture has made "hate" out to be the worst possible thing... But the Bible specifically states that God hates... and it's not that he hates the sin, not the sinner. It says he hates the sinner. David writes about it in Psalm 5.
It's also amazing how hard it is for "American Christians" to grasp predestination. Paul spells it out clearly in Romans. But there's this idea that God cannot violate man's "free will", as if it's God's kryptonite. The idea that man's "free-will" is superior to God's sovereignty and glory is a joke.
It's not until you realize God's sovereignty and His ability to hate that you can truly grasp His love and witness His Glory.
What's your gospel?
Yeah I just made a post about Psalm 5:5 a few minutes ago check it out. 👍
WHOEVER = The elect. Only those chosen by God will ever have the desire or ability to believe in Christ.
As for your inserting of the words "whole" and "entire" before WORLD... I don't understand why you did this. The last part of the sentence modifies the first. The only reason to spell out "whole and "entire" would be if your point is that His love for the entire world causes Him to save the entire world. We know that's not true because it's conditional upon belief.
And again... only those who CAN believe, WILL believe. Those are the elect.
I also used to struggle with the idea that God chooses those He saves. I used to think it would be wrong for God to ignore the pleas of salvation for some if they weren't on His list. That's not how it works at all... One cannot believe in Christ unless He/She is enabled to believe in Christ. They will not believe in Him unless they are on that list to begin with. That's the gist of election.
I've covered this verse in great depth under previous comments and posts. The "world" doesn't refer to everyone here. John uses it to reference or include Gentiles. His use of this word has thrown millions of people off.
Matthew, Mark and Luke use the word Gentiles 16 times, the book of John never uses it. Matthew uses world 11 times, Mark and Luke a combined 9 times.
John uses world 52 times.
Of the combined 20 times Matthew Mark and Luke use the word world, only Luke ever comes close to using it the way John does.
For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. — Luke 12:30
Who are all of the nations of the world who eagerly seek these things?
Gentiles.
For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. — Matthew 6:32