Does God love serial killers and terrorists, the extremely unlovable? When I was younger in my spiritual walk, I once pondered if people like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy were loved by God. We often think of these individuals as monsters who will burn in hell. I wondered how people could commit multiple heinous crimes and still be loved by God. It was a mystery.
There are times in my life when I've been unlovable, mean spirited, hateful, angry and downright obstinate. I was ready for a verbal fight, and anyone I disagreed with could feel my anger. I used it as a weapon, a guard, and a self defense mechanism. Because of my behavior, I doubted if God loved me.
Many would say that I wasn't a good person, but I wanted to be. Even on my worst day, if a hungry, homeless person approached me, I would help, because I had a strong desire to help others. Love was there--just buried under anger and the need to protect myself from further abuse. Nevertheless, God loved me enough to help me change. My former life seems as though it belongs to another. Glory to God!
Human beings who commit horrific crimes have taken anger to the maximum level. How does one become a serial killer, with no regard for human life? Often killers are Satan worshipers, because Satan's workers (demons) whisper to them, "We will love you." Because these individuals are loveless, they will do, literally, anything to be loved--including make blood sacrifices for Satan in exchange for love, and because Satan is a master counterfeiter and deceiver, he gives them lust--not love. With hearts filled with blood lust, they kill for their master. As their consciences becomes seared, killing becomes routine.
Others are psychopaths or have severe mental illnesses and voices tell them to kill. Others have been declared mentally insane, but only God knows whether they understood their actions. The question still reverts to whether God loves the Jeffrey Dahmers of this world. The answer is a resounding yes. 1 John 4:16 in the Bible, says in part that ". . . God is love." If God is the total embodiment of perfect love, how can He not love? When Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, was crucified, bled, and died, it was for the serial killers too, not just "routine" sinners.
Does the fact that God is love mean He won't punish? No, it does not. Even those who have reportedly confessed and repented, were punished. Perhaps there is only so much of God's law you can violate, and although His mercy endures forever (Psalm 118:29, KJV), it is because of His loving justice that He punishes severe sin with severe consequences. He is a holy, fair, and just God.
Although he is love, He is also the ultimate judge and lawgiver. I know that because of Jesus, the Christ, that if a serial killer, confessed his sins, repented, and accepted Christ as savior, the serial killer would go to heaven. God's Word is immutable (Romans 10:9-10, KJV). Yes, God loves the unlovable enough to decide their fate, both in this life and the hereafter.
This article has a copyright, 2012.
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