Volume 29 Issue 4
A publication of Focus Evangelistic Ministries, Inc
Winter 2019/20
THE COMMUNICATOR
Focus Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. PO Box 498 Danielsville, GA 30633
Yes, God Loves Everybody!
The best news in the whole, wide world is that God loves sinners and made a way for them to have forgiveness and eternal life.
The picture of Jesus Christ, forever God, with his holy head on the hay, warms the soul. Jesus was on a mission; the God of Heaven had come to seek and save. Rich and poor, young and old, men, women, and children – all kinds of people were sought. He taught in the temple, ate with sinners, walked for miles to talk to the woman at the well. It’s awesome, this love of God! He touched blind beggars, crying lepers, a child that lay dead. The crowds adored Him; the forgiven perfumed Him. It’s exciting just to picture the mighty, moving tide of the love of Jesus reaching like that!
Not all Believe in God’s Love
Sadly, a brand of theology is now sweeping across the world that diminishes God’s love. One of its popular authors spells out this dark view like this:
“When we say that God is Sovereign in the exercise of His love, we mean that He loves whom He chooses. God does not love everybody…” (Arthur Pink, The Sovereignty of God (digireads.com Publishing, 2018), pg. 14)
This is sad and serious. The above author is in your local Christian bookstore. At a time when fewer young men are studying to become pastors, many of the schools who train them are crushing young ministers with an unloving view of God that more closely describes Ebenezer Scrooge than it does the Lord of the scriptures. If you haven’t been affected by this sickening falsity yet, be ready for it. Someone may need your help.
God Can Be Sovereign and Still Love Everyone
An exuberance for God’s sovereignty seems to drive this fatalistic view that long ago, before there was a world, God limited His love to a chosen few. For no reason that we can know, God willed only a particular group to have His love, they say. What of the others? They are not loved, a Calvinist says, and they are lost, forever. They tell us that an “eternal decree” settled everything, and now the events already determined are simply being played out in time and place.
Let’s make no mistake; the sovereignty of God is biblical. It means that God is supreme; He’s in charge. Amen! His love is biblical too. There is no contradiction of sovereignty and love. God is in charge, and He loves everyone. Isn’t this what we have read in the Bible?
The Bible is Full of God’s Love
“But thou, O LORD, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” – Psalm 86:15
“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:26
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” – 1 John 4:7, 8
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” – 1 John 4:16
God’s Love is Real, Even if it is Rejected
Despite the fact that various kinds of people are callous towards Him, God’s love is real. The Bible says He shines a light to every baby born:
“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” – John 1:5
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” – John 1:9
Some people choose to live in their own darkness, despising the Light. Some live in theological deceit, accepting vain philosophy; rejecting the Word of God. These will have severe consequences in life and eternity, but they first held the light of God’s love.
Love is not the same as approval! A man’s dirty socks may lie crumpled in the floor, but his wife loves him. God may not approve of actions. He may even punish, but He loves! How has God demonstrated love? He gave His Son to die for us all. Yes, God loves sinners. All of us.
“And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 John 2:2
“Love is not the same as approval…
God may not approve. He may even punish, but He loves!”
The Truth Hasn’t Changed
People can certainly disappoint us, even ones we respect. Tides turn. Fads come and go. Books get written. Movements grow and die. But the truth of God remains. This view of limited love, no matter how popular it may become, must be held against the scriptures. There, under the lamp of Bible study, it is revealed as a fraud.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:16, 17
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” – Hebrews 2:9
F.E.M.I. is a non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible. Freddie is supported through the financial support of churches and families who love him and believe in the ministry that God has entrusted to him. All bookings are handled through the ministry office on a first come basis. Freddie does not charge a fee for his speaking ministries but trusts the Lord’s people to care for and support him.
Gifts or Contact by mail: FEMI PO Box 498 Danielsville GA 30633 Phone: 762-218-3060
From the Mail Bag…
Freddie, I love how you explained the difference between salvation and dedication. I have a friend [that] believes we can lose our salvation. I’m forwarding this newsletter in hopes it will clarify some things for her. (Louisiana)
Excellent article! I pray for you [and your family] every day. The Lord has opened a wide door of opportunity for us and we praise Him. (Illinois)
I also enjoyed “Important Difference” article. That is something we teachers need to stress more. (Texas)
Thank you, Freddie. Keep preaching Brother. The gospel never grows old. It is the only message of power unto salvation. (West Indies)
* Note: We are blessed to receive these wonderful messages of encouragement as an expression of joy in God’s grace and truth. We share them for God’s glory and the encouragement of us all. His Word and grace are going forth!
Have you Found Love in your Life?
Perhaps you have searched, but not found the love and acceptance you need. People can be so unkind. We’ve all been measured by law and condemned as unworthy. But God loves you, just the way you are.
Jesus Christ brought truth and grace into the world. It’s true that we all have failed, but shame is banished for those who trust in Jesus. He took our sin and guilt on Himself, and He paid the lawful penalty for it all when He died on the cross. His resurrection proves that we can be righteous in God’s eyes through faith in Jesus.
The gift of God is bought and paid for by God alone. Forgiveness and everlasting life are yours the moment you believe in Christ! Isn’t that the love you’re looking for?
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8, 9
Have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas season!