…because John 3.16 says he loved sinners.
The Bible says God hates the people who do wicked things (He does not just hate the things they do).
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. [Ps 5.5]
Here are some things that God says He hates:
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. [Prov 6.16-19]
Hate: [def] To greatly dislike; to have a great aversion to; example:
…fools hate knowledge… [Prov 1.22]
God hates sin: Sin is a transgression of God’s moral Law.
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. [1Jn 3.4]
God hates the sinner: Because the person is the one who transgressed.
How can God hate sinners when John 3.16 says he loves them?
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [John 3.16]
First, remember: The feeling is mutual!
[The ungodly are]…haters of God… [Rom 1.30]
If you are not a Christian, the way you feel toward the God of the Bible (great dislike; great aversion) is how God feels toward you.
Second, understand: God is angry with the wicked every day.
The wrath of God abides on the wicked:
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. [John 3.36]
With every sin, the wicked treasure up wrath that will be revealed on Judgment Day.
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [Rom 2.5]
But, there is One who can deliver you from God’s wrath: Jesus.
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. [1Thes 1.9-10]
If you will…
- Repent: Turm from your idols (sin and self), and
- Believe: Turn to God in humble faith to serve Him…
The Lord Jesus Christ will deliver you from the wrath to come.
The Bible says God loved (past tense) the world when He gave His son in sacrifice for sin and sinners.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son… [John 3.16]
Today He commends (shows, displays, presents) His love to us in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ to save us.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [Rom 5.8-9]
It is your choice to be hated or to be loved by God. Salvation from God’s wrath is your choice:
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already… [John 3.18]
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.