What does the Bible say about God's love for the elect?
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The Bible teaches that God's love is sovereign and particular, as seen in Romans 9:13, where God states, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'
According to Romans 9:13, God's love is not universally applied but is sovereignly distributed among His chosen people, the elect. Jacob symbolizes those whom God has set apart for His love and mercy, while Esau represents those who are not recipients of God’s special favor. This demonstrates that God's affection and love are not based on human merit or actions but are freely given according to His eternal purpose. The implications are that God's love for Jacob is unconditional and not contingent upon Jacob's worthiness, as shown in Ephesians 1:4-7, where it emphasizes that God chose the elect before the foundation of the world.
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