Does Jesus Love Those Who Reject Him?

I received an e-mail from a gentleman in April of 2006, who made the following statement...

"...eternal life is offered and extended to a lost person who is willing to receive it, but God "has no love" for someone who refuses to repent from their unbelief and turn to God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ.  

In Christ, Steve"
 

Here is my response to his statement...

Hi Steve,

John 3:16 declares "For God so loved the world..." Jesus died for all men...the whole world. That is love. 1st John 3:16 states...

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us..."

Romans 5:8 teaches that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This is how God manifested His love for all men. Whether a person accepts or rejects Christ has no bearing on the FACT that Christ died out of love for all humanity.

Even Jesus said that if we only love those who love us, then we're no better than the world (Matthew 5:46). Would Jesus violate His own teaching by only loving those who love Him back? What does the Scriptures say..."We love him, because he first loved us." -1st John 4:19

Hope that helps...

Kind regards,

David J. Stewart