DOES GOD LOVE THE DEVIL?
We are taught that God is love. His love is such that He gave us free will to either love Him back or not. We even have the choice to turn our back on Him. Not believe in Him. And to preach and teach against Him and His existence; and to mock those who believe in Him. His love is such that He allows us all these luxuries and freedoms to choose as we wish.
The devil was one of God's loved creations. He chose to rebel and love God no more. God allowed him this choice. I guess, (although I have no proof of this), God still loved him despite the devil's rebellion. But it was the devil's free choice to go his own way.
Many humans choose the same path of the devil. And, I guess, are still loved by God.
But then, one day, comes decision time. We die either in love with, and in gratitude to, God, for all He has done for us; or in enmity with God.
It is this free choice at death that leads us to Heaven or Hell. It is as if God says to us: "Thy will be done. You choose to go to hell; then go!" (To quote C S Lewis).
Does God still love those in hell, including the devil? My guess is probably yes. If God is love then He loves everyone; even those who rebelled against Him.
Will God forgive those in hell and welcome them back to Heaven, including the devil? There is no Biblical evidence or teaching of that. In Christ's parable about the rich man and poor Lazarus at his door, Jesus says that there is a great chasm between Heaven and hell and neither side can traverse it. So it does seem that those in hell are there for eternity since Jesus taught so. They are there for eternity because they chose to go there. The gates of hell are locked from the inside by those who would rather be there, and had made that choice at the time of their death.
So to answer the original question: Does God love the devil? My guess is yes, as He has always done, despite his rebellion. Just like many parents would love a child who goes astray.
Will God forgive the devil, and all those who rebelled, and welcome them back to Heaven? There is no Biblical evidence or teaching of that. But then everything is possible to God. The devil and his followers can be forgiven ... ... ... if they really want to!
I like "...locked from the inside...." It's a good metaphor.
ReplyDeleteAnd probably on its way to joining among my favorite observations about God, love, Hell and all that. Someone said that 'nobody's dragged, kicking and screaming,' into Heaven.
The idea being expressed is what we're told about our particular judgment. What I've done, and why, will be evaluated. Catechism, 1021-1037is a pretty good summary, I think. ( http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm#1021 )
My understanding is that if I've somehow managed to do all the right things, and none of the wrong ones - - - I can still walk away, refusing to spend eternity with our Lord. That strikes me as a daft choice, but possible in principle.
Thinking of Hell as a result of God's love makes sense, to me, when I think of God as a loving and super-humanly wise parent. Forcing an obstinately disobedient child, one who not only refuses to do what is in his or her best interests but also cannot stand being near the parents, to stay at home might reasonably be seen as not loving.
Provided, of course, that the parent could know that the disobedient child would never accept the parent's love. That sort of knowledge is beyond me: but not, I think, beyond God.
Fully understanding how anything looks from an omniscient and omnipotent viewpoint? I don't, don't expect to, and that's another topic.
Hi Brian,
DeleteI guess, any reasonably intelligent person, given the choice between going to Heaven or hell, would choose to go to Heaven. The problem here is, I think, not one of a simple choice, but one where the individual does NOT actually believe in the existence of Heaven, or hell, or God even. It is this second choice, this second decision, freely taken, which results in the exclusion of some people from Heaven. They choose to go to hell, and in their stubbornness, lock the door from inside in case someone tries to get them out and lead them to forgiveness and Heaven.
God bless you.
Love that you're not afraid to tackle the 'tough' questions, Victor!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mevely for your kind comment.
DeleteThis is primarily a Christian website although I publish humourous articles to attract new readers. I tackle difficult questions, (especially in my books), to encourage discussion and to challenge people to question what they actually believe.
I fear that many Christians are so with their eyes closed, probably sleep-walking their way to hell.
God bless you my friend.
God loves everyone
ReplyDeleteAgreed Christine.
DeleteGod bless.
I think God loves everyone, even Satan, He just hates the evil he does.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Happyone.
DeleteGod bless.
Love the sinner, hate the sin. I keep reminding myself of this often these days. Victor, I love the way you teach us through your writings. You are so good at getting the message of Christ through to us in humorous and also very thoughtful ways. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind compliment, Terri. I appreciate your support greatly.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
I love that quote from C. S. Lewis, Victor. Yes, God's gift of free will allows us to choose whether or not to believe in Him and His promises, or turn away. And I think God does love everyone, and I'm sure His heart breaks when His children refuse to obey Him.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I agree, Martha. I think God does love everyone, and He must feel terribly sad at the many people who do not love Him, or even believe in His existence.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
I like the way He is like our parents...forgiving & loving. Your post brought a long ago memory of my chilhood. During Catechism I asked my priest 'where is hell'? He answered 'l don't know, never been there.' To this day I have no answer. I was VERY young.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great answer from your priest Anni. Jesus described hell as a place of fire and burning. Some people believe it is a state of being, where you know for sure, no doubt whatsoever, of the existence of God and His love; yet to be permanently excluded from that love for eternity.
DeleteGod bless you.
I assume he loves everyone including the devil. What he doesn't love is the evil people bring to the table and there are lots of them today. People putting their needs before anyone, selfish, greed, that is what God does not love.
ReplyDeleteGood question, Victor.
You asked about those yellow lines in my photo yesterday, I don't know what they mean. That was another good question. :)
I agree, Bill. I believe God loves everyone and yet He is deeply hurt by the evil they commit and the hatred towards each other. This world will never know peace until it learns to forgive.
DeleteThanx for the yellow line info. Never seen them in the UK. We have straight lines and double straight lines.
God bless you.
Jesus did not come here to die for angels. Satan's fate has been sealed.
ReplyDeleteCould God forgive Satan? Probably. God can do anything.
Would God forgive Satan? I don't know, Victor. I really don't know.
I don't know either, Chris. But then I ask, does the devil want to be forgiven? Probably not.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Great question and great post. I would like to think that at some point in eternity “all things will be drawn back” to Christ Ben those in hell, but as you say there is no Biblical teaching of it. It is a hope of mine.
ReplyDeleteSorry. “even those in hell”. Auto correct has a mind of its own.
DeleteYou see Manny, we are told that our destiny is sealed at death - either Heaven or hell. But what about those who, after death, realise their mistake and repent, really repent. Would a loving Father still condemn them to an eternity in hell? What about the story of the prodigal son? Should we not follow his father's example?
DeleteGod bless.
I discussed this with a priest once. He believed that once a decision is made at death, that is it for eternity. If there were to be a "second chance" to repent then people would behave badly knowing they have a "get out of jail free" card in their second chance.
DeleteGod bless.
I'm out of touch for a few days and you open this HUGE Can of Worms, Victor!
ReplyDeleteThinking this over!
Hi Lulu,
DeleteGreat to see you again. Hope you are keeping well.
God bless you.