We have all heard of ISIS (also known as ISIL, IS) for a few years now. I wrote about them in my last blog post (ISIS, Isa, And A Jewish Terrorist – Changing Hearts Of Stone http://markv63.sg-host.com/2014/09/isis-isa-and-a-jewish-terrorist-changing-hearts-of-stone/).
In this post, I ask 2 primary questions:
#1 – Does God hate ISIS – and evil people in general?
#2 – Does God love ISIS – and evil people in general?
I cannot – of course – speak with expertise on what the Qur’an says about these questions. But I can share a bit on what the Bible has to say. And as I said in the title of this post, the answers might surprise you!
First of all, God definitely hates those who do evil and this would, of course, include ISIS. Listen to these verses from the Bible:
“You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Dawud – King David – in the Zabur – Psalms 5:4-6).
“The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Dawud – King David – in the Zabur – Psalms 11:5).
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Sulaiman – King Solomon – Proverbs 6:16-19).
Is ISIS evil? Of course! But God is able to save them – even wants to save them – if they repent:
“God our Savior. . .desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)
Listen to these amazing verses from the Bible about God’s love – even for the worst, most evil people. He wants them to repent! God says to them:
“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die?” (the prophet Ezekiel, chapter 33, verse 11)
God hates sinners. . .while also. . .loving them.
Both of these seemingly contradictory expressions of His divine character are expressed fully in one place: the cross of Jesus Christ.
In the cross, all the wrath of God for sinners was poured out on Jesus. But also in the cross, all the love of God for sinners was demonstrated:
“. . .while we were still helpless. . .while we were yet sinners. . .while we were enemies. . .Christ (Jesus) died for us” (Romans 5:6,8,10).
Amazing.
Ask God to reveal this love to you.
He promises that He will!
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