God Views Sinners with Love, Not Hate

By Billy Graham, Christian Post Guest Columnist Thursday, December 02, 2010

Q: All my life, I've been told that God hates sin, and since I'm a sinner, all I can expect is hell unless I turn my life around. I've tried to do that, but I still have a deep fear of God. Is this what God is like? -- C.K.

A: It's true that God hates sin -- because every sin is an act of rebellion against Him. The Bible says, "'Do not plot evil.... I hate all this,' declares the Lord" (Zechariah 8:17).

But God also hates sin because He knows it destroys us -- and He doesn't want that to happen, because He loves us! If you are a parent, you know that your children would be in great danger if you simply ignored them or allowed them to do anything they wanted to do. But you love them and don't want bad things to happen to them -- and because you love them, you give them rules to follow so they won't get hurt. The same is true with God.

Listen: The most important truth you will ever discover is that God loves you. God doesn't hate you; He loves you! If God hated you, why would He send His only Son into the world to die on the cross for you? But Jesus Christ did come, and He did die for you -- because God loves you. The Bible says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

Don't be a prisoner to fear any longer, but by a simple prayer of faith turn to Jesus Christ and accept the free gift He offers you -- the gift of salvation. Then thank Him every day for His great love for you.

Affectionately known as the "World's Preacher" for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history - nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories - through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.