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Does God Hate Wicked People?

A Response to Psalm 11:5

A biblically accurate answer maintains both God’s holiness and His love.  What is God’s relationship with sin and sinners:

1. God’s Character

• God is perfectly holy and must oppose all sin (Isaiah 6:3)
• God is also perfectly loving (1 John 4:8)
• These attributes exist in perfect harmony – God’s response to sin and sinners is nuanced and accounts for both his holiness and his love.

2. What God Hates

• God hates sin and wickedness (Psalm 5:4-6)
• God hates evil actions and practices (Proverbs 6:16-19)
• God opposes pride and rebellion against Him (James 4:6)

3. God’s Love for Sinners

• God loves the world, including sinners (John 3:16)
• Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)
• God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)

4. The Biblical Nuance

• God can hate sinful actions while loving the sinner
• God’s judgment comes from His holiness
• God’s salvation comes from His love
• Both attributes are perfectly expressed at the cross

5. The Gospel Response:

• God demonstrated His love by sending Christ (Romans 5:8)
• Salvation is available to all who repent and believe (Acts 2:38)
• God’s desire is for redemption, not destruction (2 Peter 3:9)

Practical Application

1. For Believers:

• Love what God loves, hate what God hates
• Love sinners while opposing sin
• Share the gospel with compassion

2. For Unbelievers:

• Understand God loves you but hates sin
• Recognize need for salvation
• Turn to Christ in repentance and faith

Does God hate wicked people? The biblical answer is that God hates wickedness and sin but loves sinners enough to provide salvation through Christ. His perfect justice and perfect love meet at the cross.

The next question is …

Does God Have Wrath for Sinners?

1. God’s Wrath is Real

• His wrath is currently active against unrighteousness (Romans 1:18)
• His wrath is part of his holy character (Nahum 1:2-3)
• His wrath will be fully revealed in the final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)

2. The Nature of God’s Wrath

• Not emotional or uncontrolled anger
• Holy and righteous response to sin
• Perfect justice against evil
• Consistent with His character (Romans 2:5-11)

3. Present Reality of God’s Wrath

• All are under wrath apart from Christ (John 3:36)
• “Children of wrath by nature” (Ephesians 2:3)
• Stored up for the day of judgment (Romans 2:5)

4. Christ’s Work Regarding God’s Wrath

• Jesus bore God’s wrath on the cross (1 John 2:2)
• Provides propitiation (satisfaction) for sin (Romans 3:25)
• Saves believers from coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
• Demonstrates both God’s love and justice (Romans 3:26)

5. The Gospel (Good News of Jesus) Solution

• Jesus Christ took God’s wrath in our place
• Salvation available through faith in Jesus Christ
• No condemnation for those in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1)

Practical Application

For Believers:

1. Thank God for Jesus Christ bearing His wrath
2. Share the gospel (Good News of Jesus) urgently with others
3. Remember your own rescue from wrath
4. Live in grateful obedience

For Unbelievers:

1. Recognize the reality of God’s wrath
2. Understand the severity of sin
3. Accept Jesus Christ’s payment for sin
4. Turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith

Concluding Thoughts:

• God’s desire for salvation (2 Peter 3:9)
• “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36)
• The reality of God’s wrath makes the good news of Jesus even more wonderful: Jesus Christ bore that wrath so we could be reconciled to God through faith in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)