Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions about God is that His unconditional love for humanity operates independently of His other divine attributes. Many people have even been deceived into thinking God’s love for them makes Him overlook or accept their sins. However, this belief is not based on Scriptural truth.
In reality, God’s love for humanity always operates concurrently and in perfect harmony with all His other divine attributes. Therefore, God cannot close His eyes to sin and remain just, holy, and righteous. Rather, His holiness and just nature require Him to punish sins despite His love for sinners. If He dismissed or overlooked sinful behavior, He would not be perfect, righteous, and holy and would cease to be God.
Another truth about God’s divine nature is that His holiness demands sinless perfection. Yet, everyone falls short of this benchmark repeatedly and without exception. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Also, Romans 3:10 declares, “There is none righteous, not even one.” Therefore, God must judge all sin and unrighteousness rather than excuse it
Some might ask, “Well then, what good is
God’s love if it doesn’t help or save us?”
That is where the good news comes into play! God’s immeasurable love for humanity was the catalyst that sent Jesus from Heaven to Earth to save sinners from sin's eternal consequences.
Jesus was the only One qualified to live sinlessly and perfectly on Earth on behalf of all sinners because He was God manifested in human flesh (see 1 Timothy 3:16). Furthermore, Jesus willingly took everyone's sins upon Himself on the cross and died a substitutionary death in every sinful person’s place.
Jesus’ life of obedience and sacrificial death satisfied each of God’s holy and divine requirements that sinners could never achieve on their own. He also bridged the gap between sinners and God, making it possible for God to forgive, redeem, and render sinners righteous without violating any aspect of His divine nature. The Bible says, “He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Therefore, all those who recognize their sinful state and repent by placing their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation will be saved. However, those who reject Jesus will reap the full measure of God’s righteous judgment for their sins when they die because they refused the only means of salvation—Jesus Christ and His shed blood (see John 3:16-18).
I hope you found this answer helpful and encourage you to share its contents with someone who needs to hear it this week.
