“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. … He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16,18
It is indeed true that God loves the people of this world. We see that love in the gift of His own dear Son, Jesus Christ, who was born into this world a true man to fulfill the demands of God’s law in our place and then to bear the full and just punishment for our sins – indeed the sins of all – that we might repent of our sinful and rebellious ways and look to Jesus and His cross for mercy and forgiveness and be spared the condemnation of hell. But Jesus also says in no uncertain terms that those who do not repent and turn to Him in faith stand condemned already and will suffer the eternal torments of hell.
Have mercy upon me, O Christ. Forgive my sinful thoughts, desires, words, and deeds for the sake of Your blood, shed on the cross for the sins of the world. And keep me in the true and saving faith that I might be spared the eternal torments of hell and live for You forever in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James version of the Bible.]