Can God Love People Who Are Considered Unlovable by Society?

Direct Answer

Yes, God can love people whom society considers unlovable, and His grace is great enough to reach the worst sinner.

The Bible says God reconciles His enemies and justifies the ungodly. Les Feldick teaches that God still loves His enemies, pours out grace on them, and can reach below the vilest sinner to lift him up and make him a saint. Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.

Key Scriptures

Romans 5:10 — This verse directly shows that God loved us while we were still His enemies, which is the heart of the question.

Romans 4:5 — It identifies the objects of God's justifying grace as the ungodly who believe.

Romans 5:20 — It promises that grace increases wherever sin increases, so no one is beyond its reach.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible plainly shows that God's love reaches those who are alienated from Him. Romans 5:10 says, "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Before reconciliation, sinners are enemies of God, yet Christ died for them. Romans 4:5 says God "justifieth the ungodly," the one who "worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly." So God's justifying work is directed at the ungodly, not at the self-righteous. Romans 5:20 adds, "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." The more sin abounds, God's grace superabounds. These verses establish that God's love and grace target people who are not worthy: enemies, ungodly, and great sinners.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About God's Love for the Unlovable?

Les Feldick teaches that the grace of God is an attribute far above the human intellect, and most believers do not fully grasp it (Clip 0). He explains that the word "ungodly" means "without God" and includes people society might consider good as well as those on skid row; God saves the down-and-outer, the up-and-outer, and everything in between (Clip 2). Les insists God does not stop loving His enemies; He keeps pouring out His grace and offering salvation (Clip 3). In Romans 5:20, he says where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, so God can reach below the vilest sinner and lift him up and make him a saint (Clip 6). Les also warns that God's love was expressed fully in Christ's sacrifice (Clip 7), but when that love is spurned, God in His sovereignty may reject people at the Great White Throne (Clip 1). The day of grace will end; then God becomes a God of judgment and wrath (Clip 5). So the love of God is real, but it must be responded to and received.

Who Are the "Ungodly" That God Justifies?

In Romans 4:5 Paul says God justifies the ungodly—those who "worketh not" but believe. Les explains the prefix "un-" means "without"; so ungodly means without God. It does not mean only skid-row people; it can mean the best church members who have never experienced saving grace. God saves the down-and-outer, the up-and-outer, and everyone in between.

Does God Really Love His Enemies?

Romans 5:10 shows we were enemies and were reconciled to God by Christ's death. Les says that until people come God's way, they are enemies and aliens of God, but God does not stop loving His enemies; He still pours grace and offers salvation. The love that put Christ on the cross was love for lost mankind.

Does God's Love Mean Everyone Will Be Saved?

No. Les says God has loved every human to the extent that heaven could offer, giving His love to all; but when a human being spurns that love, God has every right to reject them at the Great White Throne. On the day when His grace ends, He becomes a God of judgment and wrath. Thus God's love and grace must be received, not simply assumed.

From the Teaching

Grace as an Attribute of God

Les teaches that grace is an attribute of God so far above human intellect that even believers rarely comprehend it, which is why God's willingness to love unlovable people seems surprising.

God's Love for Every Human Being

Les explains that God has loved every human being to the fullest extent and gives His love to all, but those who spurn that love are rejected at the Great White Throne.

The Ungodly Are Without God

Les teaches that "ungodly" simply means without God, and includes good people and church members as well as down-and-outers; God saves all types when they come to Him.

God Loves His Enemies

Lost people are enemies and aliens of God, but God does not stop loving His enemies; He keeps pouring out grace and offering salvation.

God Justifies Those Who Recognize Their Ungodliness

God can deal only with the person who recognizes he is ungodly; a person who says "I'm pretty good" ties God's hands.

Grace Ends and Judgment Begins

God is a God of love who has poured grace on humanity, but once the day of grace ends, He becomes a God of judgment and wrath.

Grace Abounds Over the Vilest Sin

Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds; God can reach below the vilest sinner and lift him up and make him a saint.

Love Nailed Christ to the Cross

The epitome of love was expressed on the cross; it was Christ's love for lost mankind that set His face toward the cross and caused God to pour out mercy.

Bible Verses

Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

This verse shows that God's justifying grace specifically targets the ungodly, not those who think they are good enough.

Romans 5:10: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

It proves that God loved and reconciled people while they were still His enemies, which is exactly what the question asks.

Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

This verse emphasizes that no matter how great human sin is, God's grace is always greater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does God love people who are living in terrible sin?

Yes. Les says people may look at someone as ungodly, hateful, and reprobate, but God still loves them. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds, and God can reach below the vilest sinner and lift him up and make him a saint.

What does "ungodly" mean in Romans 4:5?

Les explains that the prefix "un-" means "without," so ungodly means without God. It does not mean someone must be on skid row; even good people and church members can be ungodly if they have never experienced God's saving grace.

Does God's love mean nobody goes to hell?

No. God has loved every human being and offered salvation, but when someone spurns that love, God has every right to reject them at the Great White Throne. After the day of grace, He becomes a God of judgment and wrath.

Can a person who is considered a reprobate be saved?

Yes. Les says that even when people are so ungodly that most do not want to associate with them, God still loves them and is able to reach below the vilest sinner, lift him up, and make him a saint.

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