BIBLE STUDY

  God’s Love and Feelings 1. God's Use of Feelings Scripture shows us that God expresses emotions such as grief (Ephesians 4:30), wrath (Exodus 32:10), rejoicing (Psalm 104:31), compassion (Matthew 14:14), mourning (John 11:35), and even hatred (Proverbs 16:19). These expressions of emotion are tools God uses to communicate with humanity, helping us understand His nature and will. However, it is essential to recognize that feelings do not define or bind God. Unlike humans, who are often controlled or swayed by emotions, God remains sovereign and unchanging. Key Scripture "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) 2. Why God Does Not “Have” Feelings Feelings Do Not Define God If God truly had feelings, it would mean: ·          He could be controlled by external factors: For example, human actions could provoke anger or happiness in God, making Him subject to...

Does God Choose to Love? The Question of God’s Choice God created me. God created you. God created everyone in this world. None of us had any say in our creation. We didn’t submit applications to be born or design our own lives beforehand. Yet, here we are—unique, living, and breathing by God’s divine will. But here’s a question that I couldn’t ignore for years: Why does it seem like God chooses to love some people while rejecting others? Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you’ve looked at others who seem blessed and wondered, Why does God favor them and not me? Or perhaps you’ve faced hardship and thought, If God loves me, why is my life so difficult? These thoughts can easily lead to questioning whether God’s love is reserved for a select few. Is He a God of only some people? If so, how do we reconcile verses like Romans 3:29? “ Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too.” (NIV) This verse makes it clear that God is the God of all...

Wrath and Anger   When God shows anger or wrath, it is also not a reflection of His nature, but rather a means to achieve His ultimate purpose. While some may say anger is simply a response to evil, God's wrath is often part of a divine plan . In the case of Genesis 6:3 , God’s anger was not primarily a response to evil but a way to set a timeline for His plan. In Romans 9:11-13 , God demonstrates His sovereign choice, loving Jacob and hating Esau, not because of any wrong or right, but to ensure His purpose of salvation through Jacob’s lineage. This shows that God’s anger is a means to achieve His will, rather than an emotional response to human actions. We must learn to see beyond the methods (God’s ways) to understand the ultimate purpose (God’s goal). Whether God’s actions involve anger, love, or mercy, these are not ends in themselves but are ways to fulfill His divine purpose. When God allows suffering, it is not out of hatred but as a means to achieve something greater,...

  Not Everything God does is his Purpose Some actions that God takes are part of the process or the "ways" He uses to accomplish a greater purpose, but they are not necessarily the final expression of His will. For example, consider the trials and challenges we face in life. While these situations may seem difficult, even painful, they serve a greater purpose in God's divine plan. They may not be the end result of what God ultimately intends, but they are part of the process that shapes us, refines us, and positions us for the greater purpose He has in store. Think of the story of Joseph in the Bible. God had a grand purpose for Joseph—to use him to save many lives during a time of famine (Genesis 50:20). But Joseph’s journey wasn’t straightforward. He was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Each of these events was not the final purpose God had for him, but they were essential steps in the process that led him to ful...

Love as nature is different from love as way. · Love as God's way is about how God chooses to express His purpose through His actions, decisions, and sovereign will. It can sometimes be hard for humans to understand because it is tied to God’s eternal purposes, which are often far beyond human comprehension. · In this context, God’s love isn’t necessarily about showing affection in the way we expect (emotional or preferential love), but about choosing to act in ways that align with His will and purpose for creation. His love in this sense is purposeful and redemptive , often working through specific events or individuals to accomplish His greater plan. · Jacob and Esau : When God says He loved Jacob and hated Esau, this is not an emotional or personal vendetta but a declaration of His sovereign choice for His purposes. In Romans 9:13, when Paul quotes Malachi 1:2-3, it’s clear that God's love for Jacob and hatred of Esau reflects His divine election. This choice wa...

  Does Hate Reflect God's Nature? In passages like Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:13 , the Bible says that God loved Jacob but hated Esau. This raises an important question: If all that God does reflects His nature, does hate reflect God’s nature? The answer is no . Hate does not express God’s unchanging nature. As I said earlier that we understand God’s nature through his actions. The question is What if God will hate someone. Does hate express God’s nature? This misunderstanding arises when we fail to differentiate between God’s purpose and the processes (ways) He uses to accomplish that purpose. To help clarify this, consider the example of a car manufacturer. If you asked a car manufacturer, “What are you doing?” they would say, “We are manufacturing cars.” However, the process of manufacturing a car involves several intermediate steps—like smelting metal, shaping it, and applying heat. These steps are not the ultimate purpose but are part of the means to achieve the final ...