Many Christians assume they are obligated to tell every unbeliever “Jesus loves you.” The phrase sounds warm and welcoming, and it often comes from sincere motives. The question is not whether Christians should speak with kindness, but whether this language communicates the gospel truthfully. Scripture calls believers to accuracy as well as compassion. Love that obscures the sinner’s true standing before God does not help them come to Christ.
Scripture speaks about God’s love with careful distinctions. God shows real kindness and patience to all people. He gives life, provision, restraint of evil, and time to repent. This is His benevolence toward the world. Scripture also speaks of covenantal love, which belongs to those who are brought into fellowship with Him. Above all, Scripture speaks of God’s saving love in Christ, which reconciles sinners through the cross and unites them to the Son by faith. These categories are not interchangeable. When they are collapsed into a single statement of assurance, the gospel loses clarity.
Apart from Christ, unbelievers stand alienated from God. Scripture describes them as dead in sin and under just wrath, yet still objects of God’s patience and kindness. This diagnosis is important. A person cannot understand the good news unless they first understand why reconciliation is needed. Scripture calls unbelievers to peace with God, not to assume they already possess it. The call of the gospel is an invitation grounded in truth. It is not a declaration of settled peace.
Biblical evangelism proclaims Christ as Lord and Savior. It announces His finished work, commands repentance and faith, and promises forgiveness and reconciliation to those who come to Him. The apostles did not preach assurance apart from conversion. They called hearers to respond to Christ with repentance and trust. God’s kindness leads sinners toward repentance.
Christians must guard their language. Covenant peace must never be declared where repentance has not occurred. If the phrase “Jesus loves you” is used, it must be carefully defined. It can only mean that God is patient and merciful, calling sinners to turn and live. It must never communicate acceptance, assurance, or salvation apart from faith in Christ. Words shape understanding, and unclear words produce confused converts.
Biblical love seeks the true good of the other. It speaks honestly about sin, judgment, mercy, and hope. It warns because it cares. It invites because Christ saves. Love that avoids truth leaves sinners comfortable in danger. Love that tells the truth points them to life.
Semper Reformanda
Objection: “Saying ‘Jesus loves you’ is just a simple way to show compassion and open doors.”
Response: Scripture governs compassion with truth. The apostles never opened gospel conversations by declaring peace without repentance. God’s kindness, as Romans teaches, leads to repentance and not to assurance without faith. Compassion that obscures the call to repentance misrepresents the character of God and weakens the gospel invitation.
Truth That Withstands
Faithful proclamation honors God’s love by speaking of it as Scripture does. God’s love is holy, purposeful, and saving in Christ. Christians serve unbelievers best by declaring God’s mercy truthfully and calling them to enter His saving love through repentance and faith.
Shortlink: reformlet.com/godslove