God loves all of us equally?

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MarthaSo

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I’ve just just through the other threads on this and notice the answers are mixed. Some say St. Thomas Aquinas states God does not love each of us equally and I’m not qualified to go against a Doctor of the Church but it made me think about this one person I know. I dislike her strongly because she is a vicious manipulative person. And here I am, a nice person who thinks about God every moment (not bragging I feel unworthy of Him as a default) and tries to be nice to everyone and the thought occurred to me…

“Jesus loves her THE SAME?”

Forget her for a minute, my thoughts became dark as I thought, Jesus, whom I seek everyday and try to love more LOVES the woman who killed her child THE SAME. (sorry it was a dark thought)

A part of me thought I had better get ready to accept that, but then I’m back to St. Thomas Aquinas who says no that’s not true.

If God did love us all the same no matter what we do than we all have a shot at His Mercy if we repent. If He loved us less because we were mass murderers of children than we’d have no hope. (This doesn’t sit well with me but could this be true)

I will check what the CCC states. I am disappointed in myself for being annoyed that this may be true because even though I try to show God my faith by works, I do it ultimately to please Him” thinking if I please the Lord and seek first His Kingdom He’ll like me more than someone who’s evil and doesn’t seek Him at all. Why should it matter to me? I don’t know.

But then I think of my children (May God protect all of our children’s faith) and I realize that my selfish way of hoping He would like me more for my devotion to him at a high cost, would take away from His love of them if they decide not to follow the faith. And I love my children too much to feel comfortable wanting that anymore.

And then I’m back to thinking of that horrible manipulative woman who literally is evil and that God loves her just as much as St. Therese and our Blessed Mother!

I can’t seem to close this one out in my mind. Any thoughts appreciated. Thank you.
 
God doesn’t experience emotion as we do (though the second divine person, Christ, as a human does I suppose)…God is immutable, unchanging. So if we “quantify” God’s love as his grace, his divine life within the soul, then certainly God loves some creatures more than others…Our Lady, for example, has a far greater share of the divine life than I do…thus God loves Our Lady far more than he loves me. Rightfully so too.
 
You have to get down to some very base, fundamental type stuff to understand. I’ll go with bullet points:
  1. God creates all life.
  2. All that God creates is good
  3. People are responsible for the bad things we do. Responsible in both a collective and individual way.
So God loves all of us equally. The justice we all receive is different for everyone.
 
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Hi thank you. I don’t want to guess or quantify, although I do know what you mean.

So Jesus would love some humans more than others (at this very moment) ?

You are also stating that the immutable God does love you just as much as our Blessed Mother than? Without quantifying.

Thank you
 
Ok thank you for bringing up the justice part. I hadn’t thought of that aspect.
I don’t know if it’s bad to admit I feel good knowing that that horrible woman who treats people like garbage will have her day of justice before the Lord.
Even though He loves her the same as me.
 
MarthaSo said:
I’ve just just through the other threads on this and notice the answers are mixed. Some say St. Thomas Aquinas states God does not love each of us equally and I’m not qualified to go against a Doctor of the Church but it made me think about this one person I know. I dislike her strongly because she is a vicious manipulative person. And here I am, a nice person who thinks about God every moment (not bragging I feel unworthy of Him as a default) and tries to be nice to everyone and the thought occurred to me…

“Jesus loves her THE SAME?”

[snip for space]
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Several points

Jesus said FEW are saved

Luke 13:23-28 , Lk 13:23-28 RSVCE - And some one said to him, “Lord, will - Bible Gateway
23" And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” [ few = ὀλίγοι http://bibleapps.com/greek/3641.htm ]. And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ 28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth,"
  • Jesus didn’t deny the questioner’s point.
  • Jesus actually validated the point, and expanded on it. Only a few are saved.
    meaning most go to hell.
YET

Those who die in a state of grace, (no mortal sins on their soul) but not perfect enough for a straight shot to heaven, go through purification prior to entrance to heaven. [1 Corinthians 3:12-15] 1 cor 3:12-15 RSVCE - Now if any one builds on the foundation - Bible Gateway they are included in with the few

HOWEVER Why are only a few saved?

Mt 24:12-14, Matthew 24:12-14 RSVCE - And because wickedness is multiplied, - Bible Gateway

Jesus said, because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. Those who endure to the end (the few) are saved. When the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; then the end will come.

That’s why Peter taught

1 Peter 4:17-18 1pet4:17-18 RSVCE - For the time has come for judgment to - Bible Gateway
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the impious and sinner appear?”
 
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Thank you very much Steve-b, I appreciate the thoughtful response to my question and don’t see anything I disagree with at all. The road I know is narrow (which causes anxiety in me and a desperation to do good). I’ll have to ask that you forgive my question I’m tired and may have missed it but for this mean you believe Jesus loves others the same but with different forms of justice or that Jesus loves some more than others.
 
MarthaSo said:
Thank you very much Steve-b, I appreciate the thoughtful response to my question and don’t see anything I disagree with at all. The road I know is narrow (which causes anxiety in me and a desperation to do good). I’ll have to ask that you forgive my question I’m tired and may have missed it but for this mean you believe Jesus loves others the same but with different forms of justice or that Jesus loves some more than others.
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As best as I can say it,

Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom
If that point is lost, or being blurred, or even discounted today, by ANYBODY, to cause indifferentism, confusion among the faithful because of misapplied or false ecumenism, or false sentimentality towards God, then the ones promoting such error by lowering the bar, rather than keeping the bar high with solid teaching, will find themselves in huge trouble.

For those who have tried to fashion Jesus into an overly pleasant, overly affirming sort of fellow in all situations, rather than the uncompromising God & Lord that He is, setting a low bar for themselves and everyone else, … I would suggest, they will have a rude awakening on “the” day… because they have created an idol for themselves and others.

Just thinking out loud
 
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Thank you. I do understand and agree. I stated earlier that I believe I am always falling short of His perfect standard and I keep striving towards it. I do believe He is strict in that we should follow His commands to be holy and I appreciate His discipline. His discipline can cause great suffering and sometimes I suffer a lot, because I know I’m too attached to people or my own self worth. This has been going on for decades. I know He is also just and He knows I’ve tried to follow Him as far as my mental and other forms of capabilities allow so I do always hope for His mercy.
 
MarthaSo said:
Thank you. I do understand and agree. I stated earlier that I believe I am always falling short of His perfect standard and I keep striving towards it. I do believe He is strict in that we should follow His commands to be holy and I appreciate His discipline. His discipline can cause great suffering and sometimes I suffer a lot, because I know I’m too attached to people or my own self worth. This has been going on for decades. I know He is also just and He knows I’ve tried to follow Him as far as my mental and other forms of capabilities allow so I do always hope for His mercy.
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😎
 
God gives some people efficacious grace, while giving merely sufficient grace to others. Ergo He loves the former more than the latter.

God gave the Blessed Virgin Mary the privilege of being conceived without original sin. He did not give this privilege to anyone else. Ergo, He loves her more than others.

God gives Bob the grace to be glorified in Heaven, while giving Sam the grace to reach a higher degree of Heavenly glory. Ergo, He loves Sam more than Bob.

Etc.
 
So you agree with Aquinas? I have to read his actual words. Thank you for your response.
 
Luke 7:47
“I tell you, her sins–and they are many–have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."
The worst sinners once repentant and forgiven show gratitude commensurate with the gravity and number of sins forgiven.

Jesus also sat with sinners because the righteous were not in need. Heaven celebrates the conversion of a sinner.

So sinners may well receive more attention but God values all of us equally. It’s best to restrict our thoughts and efforts towards personal salvation rather than judging others. Especially since judging others requires that we make assumptions the validity of which we cannot be sure of.
 
God loves each of us to the fullest capacity we have to receive His love.
 
Just some thoughts…

When Jesus spent his time on Earth, he was commanded to love all his neighbours as he loves himself; he could do nothing greater. But how did Jesus hold out his hands on the cross and love the man with the hammer, as he loves himself?

But we know that it was also my sins and the sins of everyone else; that caused the death of our Lord. Jesus died that sins will be forgiven.
 
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
 
Lee1 said:
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
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To forgive someone is a great thing to do. To continue to love them as you love yourself, is an even greater thing to do.
 
Thank you for bringing up humility, sounds like many agree that God loves a humble soul like St Therese as much as a prideful soul that rejects Him?
 
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