Does Jesus love unbelievers? - Should we?

[St. SteVen]

I suppose the answer to the first question is somewhat obvious.
Does Jesus love unbelievers?

The answer to the second question is a bit more revealing.
Does Jesus love unbelievers? - Should we?

Discussion questions:
- Does Jesus only love believers?
- Does Jesus love for unbelievers stop if they don't respond?
- If it does stop, did He ever really love them?
- Should we love unbelievers? (the enemies of God)
- What if they never respond positively?
- If we don't love unbelievers, isn't that actually hatred?
(or at a minimum, indifference, which is worse than hatred)

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the questions. They truly test our faith.

Does Jesus love unbelievers? Absolutely.

Should we? Absolutely.

For clarification, consider three classes of unbelievers:
—gentle souls (Romans 2: 14,15: Acts 28: 1-7)
—deriders of our faith, who might violently interrupt a church service
—fanatics, who will not hesitate to behead us

Loving unbelievers does not imply (to paraphrase Clint Eastwood) we will hold hands and take showers with them in the wee hours of the morning. But it does mean asking them to see the light, for the sake of their souls.

In any event, we will never raise a hand against them, even if they are violent (but invoke a justice system if available—Matthew 15: 17-18). Instead, gentle persuasion, calling on Him for assistance.

If any need food, drink, shelter, clothing, or health care, we will render these (being cautious for safety in some cases).

We should take responsibility if we inadvertently harm them, make amends if needed, and ask forgiveness.
If they harm us, even intentionally, we must forgive them: hold no grudges, bearing no ill will, let go any anger or animosity.

Are there hopeless cases of unbelievers? Surely. But as the father of the prodigal son remained hopeful, so should we (consider for example the tireless workers in prison ministry).

We are made in God’s image, and so should be a faithful reflection: If Jesus loves all unconditionally, we are called to do the same.

Blessings.

 

[Windmill Charge]

Does Jesus love unbelievers?

Romans5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Tells you, Yes Jesus loves unbelievers.