God's Affections for People

God loves each and every person

(John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:9-10, 1 John 4:16, 1 John 4:19, Titus 3:4, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim 2:4, Isaiah 45:22)

God hates sin but not sinners

Sometimes in Scripture we read that God hates sinners (see the verses below). The word for 'hate' can also mean odious, an enemy or foe. When a person has unrestricted sin, without repentance, working against God, the person becomes the enemy of God. God still loves them (see previous fact), but they became His enemy.

God "hates" the sinner, not as we hate - God passionately hates the sin, and sees the person as full of sin, so this person is now the enemy of God. I.e. God see the person's sin with hatred, and therefore there is a view of the person with hatred. Remember that God's ways are not our ways, so his approach to people is different and much more complex than how we view others.

(Psalm 5:5, Psalm 11:5, Proverbs 6:16-19, Hosea 9:15)

And yet God still desires for His enemies to be saved.

(Romans 5:10