The Complexity of Divine Love

Jesus died an actual death, paid an actual penalty for all who would believe. He died for His own people. He laid down His life, He said, for His sheep. He knows His sheep, He said in John 10, and His sheep know Him eventually. It is for them that He died.

Now this death that Jesus died is prompted by the love of God. “God so loved the world...that is humanity... that He gave His only Son.” Obviously that love for humanity has a specific and particular application to those who believe. God loves all men in some ways, but He loves His own savingly...