does God have favorites?

[chinaann]

like jacob He loved, Esau He hated? Jesus with Peter, James and John? Does God love some more than others? If not, what about the above? Also Cain and Abel?

This is really important to me.

Thanks,

CA

[Vickimac]

He sure does. But he has enough love to go around. :D:

[Joshua's Gen]

God does does not play favorites.

He does reward obedience though.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

[cameron222]

In His fore knowledge I believe God knows who will be obedient and carry out His plans.

Wanna be one of God's "favorites?" Then just be a person after God's own heart and see what happens......:):

[PraznHIM24/7]

Yes, He does have favorites and I'm one of them!:D:
:spit

[gzusrulzme]

:pound

[blitzkreig]

God chose a Nation.

Deut. 7:6. For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth

God chooses people.

Act 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

Eph. 1:4. According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world

[Average Joey]

God loves those who are saved and hates those who are forever lost.

Why do you think he punishes the lost with everlasting destruction?

[Singlesis]

God does NOT play favorites. It is up to US how close we desire to be to Him. How much time do WE spend with Him? He is always available for us 24/7. :thumb

[timd68]

I would have to say I am one of Gods favorites... after all He sent His Son to die for me... btw I am the Son of God.. by adoption...


Praise God in all things.. He has given His Grace to me.

[John 3:16]

No- God is no respector of persons (as already posted).

Go to www.blueletterbible.com that probably has commentary on
verses of scripture.

The reason I determined that God was happy with Abel's sacrifice and not Cain's is because Abel gave of the "first fruits" of his labor and Cain gave of his labor as a sacrifice to God. It does not say "first fruits" in Cain's example and God was not pleased.

I think alot of stories in the Old Testament were to set the stage for the coming of Christ. Christ was a sacrifice without blemish.

In the case of Jacob and Esau- Esau made foolish, selfish and impulsive choices. He sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.:rolleyes Though Jacob was stubborn and wrestled with God, he did acknowledge Him.

Oh- one more thought. In the story with Moses and the Pharoah, it said, "God hardened the Pharoah's heart." Well, the way I have always interpreted this is that Pharoah CHOSE of his own free will to make a choice OUTSIDE of God's will. HE hardened his own heart. Based upon our own choices in life, we can have hearts that become harder and harder until there's no chance of knowing God. So even though the bible says, "God hated Esau and loved Jacob"- it is because of their own choices. God doesn't wish that any should perish.

[chinaann]

Thanks everyone for helping me to make sense out of this. Im still working on this so any other comments will be welcome. I sometimes a slow learner when it comes to the things of God.

Thanks,

CA

[Mommy2KandM]

No God does not have favorites.. BUT I do believe he gets more pleasure from some then others. God is pleased when He is honored and obeyed not just on the outside but in the heart.

[Vickimac]

Originally posted by Vickimac
He sure does. But he has enough love to go around. :D:

Vicki quotes herself :rolleyes

See Zech 2:8, he calls them the apple of his eye. ;): We are grafted in, sons & daughters and he has enough love for us too.

He is no respector of persons though, as much as I'd like to be his favorite.:lol

[Medic911]

The Bible certainly seems to suggest that there are those who find greater favor with God... David and Peter are two which immediately come to mind; although I certainly agree that His 'favoritism' is directly proportional to how obediant and faithful we are.
In other words, it's up to us whether we find favor or not.
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But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:8-9

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Psalms 24:4-5

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Psalms 11:7

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 18:19

The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalms 37:23

By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

Psalms 41:11-12

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalms 147:11

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:4

For the froward [is] abomination to the Lord: but his secret [is] with the righteous.

Proverbs 3:32

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

Proverbs 8:35

They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the Lord: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight.

Proverbs 11:20

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

Proverbs 11:27

A good [man] obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

Proverbs 12:2

Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.

Proverbs 14:9

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

Luke 1:28

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 1:30


And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Gen 4:4-5
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Seems pretty clear to me.