The Saved Love God
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)
In the previous posting in this series we looked at "calling," how the saved are designated as "the called of Jesus Christ," and how this calling was "by the gospel." (II Thess. 2: 14) The verse at the heading of this posting also refers to those who are "called according to his purpose." But, it further describes those who have been "called" as being all the same class as "them that love God." It is impossible to affirm that a person has been "called" (successfully) but who as yet does not "love God." All the called love God and all who love God have been called. These descriptive terms denote members of the same class.
Hardshells, however, do not teach that all the "called" are lovers of God. How can a man love God whom he knows nothing about? Paul said - "how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" And, we may ask - "how shall they love him of whom they have not heard?" Further, it is not love for any God, or love for Zeus or Apollo, but love for the one true and living God, the God of Abraham, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus, as sinners are "called" to life and salvation "by the gospel," so are they brought to love God by the same means. Will the Hardshells tell us if one can be "called" and yet not know or love God? Will they tell us how any can love God without knowing him, and how they can know him without hearing about him?
Throughout the scriptures the saved are denominated as being those who love God or who have the love of God in their hearts.
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (I Cor. 2: 9)
"But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." (John 5: 42)
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
When a man is saved he comes to love God. To affirm that many who do not know or love God, the one true God, are nevertheless the "called" of God, is a serious error. Hardshellism is no minor deviation from the truth.
"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (I Cor. 16: 22)
What shall the destiny be for those who do not love God or Christ? Paul says they shall be "accursed" ('anathema'). Dr. Gill says that "anathema maranatha" means "let him be anathema in the coming of our Lord." He says that it is a reference to "the second coming of Christ to judgment, when all the wicked of the earth shall be accursed by him, and all such that love him not will be bid to depart from him." But, the Hardshells teach that many of the called do not love God, do not know and love Christ, and yet will be finally blessed with salvation.
"Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." (John 8: 42)
This is another verse that destroys hardshellism, for hardshellism teaches that not all those who are children of God, who have God as their Father, believe in or love Christ. But, Jesus plainly says that if one is a child of God, then he will love Christ. If a man does not love Christ, then he reveals the fact that he is not a child of God. Ask any Hardshell this question - "do all the regenerate love Christ?" They will say "no." But, what does Jesus say? Can a man love one without cognition? Can he love sub-consciously and unknowingly?
"For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God." (John 16: 27)
Jesus says that those who are loved by the Father are those who love and believe him. But, the Hardshells do not confess this, but avow that many who do not believe in Jesus, and who do not love him, are nevertheless "regenerated."
"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" (James 2: 5)
Those who will inherit the kingdom are they who have been "born again" (John 3: 3-5) and who "love" God. But, a man cannot love God if he has not heard the gospel. Contrary to hardshellism, James taught that the kingdom will only be enjoyed by those who love Jesus.
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (I John 4: 7, 8)
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (I John 4: 16)
John equates being "born of God" with knowing and loving God, but Hardshells deny that being born again brings a man to know and love God and his Son Jesus Christ.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (II Tim. 4: 8)
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1: 12)
Not only are those who love Christ promised the eternal kingdom, but are promised the "crown of righteousness," the crown of victory. Those who do not love Christ are promised no righteousness and no victory. This crown is promised to "all" who love Christ, not just to some of them.
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