Our study continues with another look at some of the objections offered by individuals who seek to end or even avoid religious discussions, and let us again point out that we seek only to give a logical and reasonable answer to what are often unreasonable and illogical objections. If these objections come from honest hearts, the answers God gives within His written Word should be sufficient to eliminate the objections and motivate some to obey His will. If God's answers are not enough, all the pleading in the world will not move one to obedience and it may become obvious that the heart is not sincere.

    But this week, we consider the following excuse and how we should answer: ''God is too loving to...'' This is often used as an objection to doctrines found within God's written Word that are not palatable, are unpleasant to the hearer, or which condemn by the simple fact someone's belief and/or practice does not agree. I have personally heard individuals tell me [immediately following their direct reading of God's Word], "Well, I know what it says, but God is too loving to exclude someone based on this one thing," or, "God is too loving to condemn someone to an eternal hell because of what they did in their short life here on earth." [I must make a side note at this point: I have never heard someone protest that God has promised eternal life to those who have been pleasing to Him for this "short time here on earth." The complaint and protest is only directed at the promised eternal punishment. If it is "unjust" to punish someone for an eternity based on their earthly life, is it not also "unjust" for God to reward individuals based on that same period of time? Ah, consistency!]

    This objection is similar to last week's example in that it must ignore or reject plain Scripture and is often based on nothing more than one's own opinion about what God would or wouldn't do. Even with plain, easily comprehended Scriptures, some are willing to elevate their own opinions above what God has plainly revealed He would do! It's, unfortunately, reminiscent of a time when God's own people said much the same thing, and it wasn't good then, either.

    As the Israelites were going into captivity [just like God had foretold], some of those who remained in the land came to the man of God [Jeremiah] and said, "Please, let our petition be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the Lord your God, for all this remnant [since we are left but a few of many, as you can see], that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do." (Jer. 42:2, 3). On the surface, their request sounded genuine and it sounded like they really wanted to do the right thing. They even said, "Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God." (v. 6).

    But, when the Word of God came to Jeremiah 10 days later, it was a different story altogether. God told them that if they remained in the land, He would spare them and even cause the invading king to show mercy to them and bring them back to the land in the future (vv. 9-12). He also warned that if they went down to Egypt, they would never see the land again; some would even die by the sword, which they thought they would escape by going there (vv. 13-22). Within this warning, Jeremiah severely chastised them, saying, "For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, 'Pray for us to the Lord our God, and according to all the Lord your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.’" (v. 20).

The reality was, though they seemed [outwardly] to be genuinely interested in hearing the Word of God and genuinely interested in doing it, they were hypocrites! They never wanted to do the will of God and they were just putting on a "show" of righteousness and submission. In their hearts, they never intended to obey. But that was nothing new!

Answer: While we do not have the ability to look into the hearts of those who use this objection [and neither should we even try; it is not our place], we can listen to their words and watch their actions and know whether or not they are sincere. When someone says, "Tell me what God wants me to do and I'll do it," there is still much to do! We have to consult God's Word to find out what God wants them to do [don't offer your opinion; take them straight to the written Word and let them do the reading, if possible, so they can see it with their own eyes and remove possible objections], and then we have to present the choice to them in plain terms: "Will you obey?"

    Sometimes, we may ask, "Do you believe what the Scriptures teach here?" Don't accept the general statement "I believe the Bible" because many say that but will not actually back it up when they are asked about specific passages.

    Let us admit that, sometimes, it will be difficult for some to accept plain Scripture because they have heard differently all their lives. Many people simply do not pick up the Bible and study it for themselves, leaving the "study" to other men who are supposedly "learned" in the Scriptures and who appear to have it all figured out. Many listen to the words of men for decades without opening their Bible and seeing if it is true, and when confronted with actual Scripture, many are simply incredulous that they have been deceived for so long and they cannot mentally grasp what they have seen and/or heard. Give them time to let it sink in and let them think about what they have learned. This may be the first time someone has allowed them to think for themselves and comprehend God's Word without the interjection and opinions of men and, if they are honest, they will see the difference without much help.

    Some who hear the true and simple Word of God for the first time will quickly see that others whom they know now stand condemned before God, whereas they thought they were right with God before they discovered the truth. It is for this reason that many will be quick to object, arguing, "But God is such a loving God! Surely this many people couldn't be wrong!", as if pure numbers were the determinant of truth and error [majority rules]. Many are so incredulous that what they have believed for so long is not true [according to Scripture] that they will protest and object, though the Scriptures lay before their very eyes. Don't assume they are not honest at this point because it just may be a matter of stunned disbelief that may be overcome through patience and compassionate teaching.

    The simple answer to this objection is to take them to the Bible and actually see the God of the Bible. Remind them that the God of the Bible is the God of both "goodness and severity" (Rom. 11:22). The same God who is love (1 John 4:8) is the God who is just (Psa. 7:11) and He will judge all men through Jesus Christ in the end (Acts 17:30, 31). It may be necessary to point them to some passages that show clearly that God will punish the disobedient, though He has shown them great mercy.

    As we answer this objection, let us ensure that we are not offering them our 'God' or what we think He is like; take them to the Scriptures and stay there so they can see what God is truly like. They must see that we do not have the right to assume what God is like, what He 'might' do, or how He will judge; everything we need to know about Him will be revealed within the Scriptures and we must search them to see if our own "think so's" are true. If not, we must change our hearts! No excuses!