Does God stop loving people in hell?  Someone told me that His love turns to hate for those people in hell.  If you could give me some verses, that would be helpful.

Sincerely,
Not A Hater

Dear Not A Hater,

God doesn’t find joy in the death of anyone, including the wicked (Ezek 18:23).  God sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins (Jhn 3:16) and to make a way for all to be with Him in heaven.  There is no indication in the Scriptures that God’s attitude changes after people die.  When people live lives that rebel against God, He recognizes that they don’t want to spend eternity with Him, but He finds no joy in it.

How does God choose who will die a violent death, such as decapitation, stabbing, and rape on even people of christianity?  I don't understand this.  Does the Bible have an answer for this?

Sincerely,
Why Not Me?

Dear Why Not Me,

The Bible tells us that humans have the freewill to decide our own fates and that we are all affected by the choices we, and others, make.  In the Old Testament, God shows us that bad choices affect people as much as four generations later (Num 14:18).  If a man murders someone, it will have an impact upon him, the family of the deceased, his own children, those on the jury that convict him, etc.  Our choices have consequences, and they cause a ripple effect in the world we live in.  In short, we reap what we sow (Gal 6:7).  God knows our days upon this earth, but He also gives us the freewill to shape various aspects of the world that we live in.  Just because God has knowledge of how you and I will die does not mean that He causes your death to happen in a certain way.  Foreknowledge is not the same as causation.  A doctor may know that a patient is going to die of cancer, but that doesn’t mean the doctor caused the patient to die of that ailment.  God gives mankind the freedom to make decisions; it isn’t His fault when people die violent and horrific deaths.  That is caused by mankind and our decision to rebel and sin.  Remember, the world was made perfect – Adam & Eve destroyed the harmony of the Garden of Eden.  Mankind makes choices that affect the future and the lives of those who live on this planet.

Yes, I am a christian and have given my life to Christ.  I try to live a good christian life, but when I was very young, I had an abortion.  I was pushed into it by everyone that I knew, including my parents and my boyfriend.  My question is this... is one sin worse than others?  I have asked the Lord to forgive me, and I was and still am very sincere.  I believe that my sins have been forgiven, but lately I am reading things about abortion that are upsetting to me.   Please help.

Sincerely,
Regretful

Dear Regretful,

All sins are equal, but some sins have worse consequences than others.  In this life a “little white lie” may not cause you much trouble, but committing adultery will devastate your life.  However, in the eyes of God, all sin is deserving of death (Rom 6:23).  That “little white lie” will send you to hell just as much as the adultery would.  Abortion is such a heinous sin because of how deeply it affects the life and emotional state of the mother, the family, and ultimately, because it destroys a child’s life… but abortion can be forgiven through the blood of Christ.  The apostle Paul murdered christians (Acts 26:10), but Christ saved him (1 Tim 1:15).  The person that had an abortion is the old you… in Christ, you are a new person, and the old deeds have passed away (2 Cor 5:17).  Move forward in life with peace of mind knowing you will be reunited with your child in heaven.

Someone told me that they knew a young man that was once gay and had aids, but God made him not gay anymore and made the aids go away.  I believe that he turned straight, but can God really make aids/HIV go away?  If so, why not other people?

Sincerely,
Perplexed

Dear Perplexed,

God can do anything, but He also says that He often lets us suffer the consequences of our choices as an example.  No one is forced to lead an actively homosexual lifestyle – we always have a choice.  If this young man chose to stop living a homosexual lifestyle, good for him… he is doing what the Bible says.
We can’t speak to this particular situation, but we can say this: homosexuality comes with consequences – including a much greater possibility of getting HIV.  Jude 1:7 says that Sodom & Gomorrah suffered the consequences of homosexuality, and Rom 1:27-28 says that all cultures that turn to homosexuality and away from the Bible will face consequences for those decisions.  The consequence of sin is one of many reasons to try and stop sinning.

Hi.  Is it possible for a couple with different religions to have a sound relationship?  And is this against God?  I really love my boyfriend, but he doesn't really have a strong faith in God, if he even believes in God.  Part of me feels like I should leave him, but the other part wants to stay.  What do I do?  Hope this doesn't sound too ridiculous.

Sincerely,
Confused In Love

Dear Confused In Love,

Our religious views dictate how we live our lives.  One’s belief in God (or lack of belief) effects their ethics, how they manage finances, how they raise children, how they treat their spouse, how much effort they will put into marriage (and when they will feel justified in getting a divorce), and a plethora of other aspects in life.  In short, your religious views guide the very essence of who you are.

God designed christians to only marry other people who are “in the Lord” (1 Cor 7:39).  A marriage to an unbeliever leaves you unequally yoked because you won’t be building your marriage off of equal vows (2 Cor 6:14).  You will make your vows before God, and he will merely make his vows before man.  We could never, ever recommend that a christian marry an unbeliever… it would simply set you up for heartache and failure.