Christians, the bible refers to God having favor over some as he did with Mary?

Question

would that mean that God may "feel" more love towards one person than another, or does God love everyone equally.

Scripture references are welcome as long as it stays in tune to the question.

Thank you

Thank you Todd for pointing out those examples.
If everyone add a comment towards Todd's example I'd appreciate it.

hisglory - how can God not be a "respecter of persons" if He loved us (the persons) so much he gave the life of His own Son?"

Answer 1

You've gotten some good responses already and I don't have much to add, except that this all ties in with the concept of grace vs works. The Old Testament was all about keeping the Law and seeking God's favor through works, sacrifices, and outward expressions of faith and obedience. I think all the examples people gave are from the Old Testament (except your original example of Mary who was still before Jesus), and some of these were about God's provision for the Jewish people and even more particularly those who would become the ancestors of the Messiah--it was about God's plan for ultimately bringing about the greater good of all mankind through Jesus.

You're also getting into the deep and murky waters of the doctrine of predestination here--are only some "called" or "chosen" by God, or do we all have the free will to accept His grace. Is it that God in His omniscience already knows what we will ultimately do and decide and how that fits into His plan yet He allows us the free will to make that choice, or does He really direct events so as to "favor" and draw to Him those He has chosen to favor?

I'm not sure, and I've read many thelogians and scholars more learned and wise than I who have differing opinions ans less than convincing arguments on this. Whole churches and denominations have split off over this very concept and their varying interpretations.

What I DO know is this--there is nothing we can do to "earn" God's favor by our works--it's about faith. For Mary, this must have been her faith and obedience based on the understanding she had at the time; her personal relationship with God. As someone already responded, she was like the compliant child that it is easier for a parent to trust with responsibility. She had somehow proven herself reliable to God through her life of consistent faith that God counted for righteousness.

The Bible is quite clear on what we are to do in order to "find favor" with God now after Jesus, so in that regard we have it much easier than they did in the Old Testament. Trust Christ, follow His teachings, walk with God and in the Spirit (prayer, Bible study, open to leading of the Holy Spirit), and show love for others, especially other believers (church membership & fellowship). The only thing we need to do for salvation is trust Christ--it is His grace and not our works that save our souls, but in order to grow in this grace and to be someone God can count on as a servant, we live and walk in that faith and obedience. Jesus told a parable about the difference between the servants and the talents that illustrates that principle--if you are faithful with what God has given you (knowledge, opportunity, resources), you will find "favor".

Favor isn't really about love, it's about trust to handle and follow God's will and be used by Him. To take the example of Esau, if God knew he was so shallow as to throw away his birthright over a bowl of stew, then that made Jacob a better candidate to carry on the Jewish heritage in God's eyes. When Noah found "grace" in the eyes of the Lord, it was because God knew He could count on Noah to build the ark as instructed, take care of the animals & his family, and most of all, carry on the task of passing on the worship of the Lord to future generations.

In God's perfect Will, there is a job for each of us to do, but God will accomplish His Will with or without us. Our task is to remain faithful, obedient, and available to be used by God.

Every kid will probably tell you that the other children in the family are the "favorites"--it's all about perspective. Sometimes parents feel sorry for the underdog and compensate; sometimes they have a "go-to" kid that they know they can always count on. It isn't that they love one less or more, they just end up responding to them according to the temperament of the child and the closeness of the relationship. The closer we are to God, and the more we are open to following His ways instead of our own way, the more favor He can and will show us. And also the less prideful and more humble we are, the more we will see Him living through us--He is made strong in our weakness.

One more point--I think it's great that the Bible is full of examples of ordinary and less than perfect people that God used and found favor with. Rahab comes to mind, but there are plenty of others.

Answer 2

I have issues with some of the Bible's "logic" but I will give this one a try. This is only my opnion.

I think the idea is that "situationally" God will have favor, not emotionally. In other words, God showed favor to Mary by chosing her to give birth to Jesus. God will favor those who accept Christ in the end days by taking them from the Earth while others are left behind. Situational favoritism not emotional.
Putting it simply. If my son or daughter happens to work where I work. I may award another worker with a "Good Attendance" award because they had better attendance. It doesn't mean I love my son or daughter any less just that out of "fairness" I have to give the award to the other employee.
Don't expect me to expalin the logic in every Biblical situation though because there's just no way for me.
Hope that helps or at leas tmakes some form of sense.

Answer 3

I think you can read Romans 9 (Jacob I loved, Esau I hated) and take away that yes God loves some more than others. I know that seems weird and out of step with popular ideas, but it seems to be what you find in the text. We could also clearly extrapolate from the Old Testament that God loved the Israelites more than the Moabites, or any of the others that were to be eradicated.

Edit: I'm following this thread out of curiosity, and I'm not saying this to irritate anyone or start controversy but saying that God hates the sin and not the sinner is a nice bumper sticker--but it isn't actually what the text says. If you move through the imprecatory psalms for instance Ps 7:11 says: "God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day." NKJV...I mean think about that. It is also not talking about God's future judgment. It is talking about his present judgment in this life...and there are plenty of other examples)...oh well enough of a ramble.

Answer 4

Everyone is God and equally the Supreme Divine. When He takes form directly from His infinite consciousness into that of a human to save the world, certain people are selected by Perfect Masters (God Realized souls) to assist God's advent, like Mary and God's disciples, etc., but there are many more that sometimes work unknown to others as to their identity. He probably had assistants in the Roman Guard and military, too. Most of His assistants work is to represent some part of the universe's problems, like lust, greed and anger in our day, where God gives every soul a spiritual push though His interactions with his assistants.

Answer 5

Fundies not only dont get theology, but they dont see the importance of the Virgin Mary. Ex. The Ark of the Covenant bore the Law of the Jews, Mary in her womb bore the Gospel (Jesus Christ). Mary, before the dawn of creation, was soley chosen from the foundation of the world to be the Mother of Jesus the incarnate word of God. And after the Angel said to her "Hail Full of Grace! The Lord is with thee" Luke 1:28 Mary responded saying "I am the handmaid of the Lord be it done unto according to your word" Luke 1:38 And at that exact moment the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was conceived by him, and the incarnate Word of God took on our humanity, and Mary took on Divine Motherhood. Mary is seen as the daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the spouse of God the Holy Spirit"

Answer 6

God has favor on those who seek Him and do His will. Mary was a very Godly woman, David was a man after God's own Heart, Jacob wanted the blessing of the Lord so badly he wrestled with angels all night for it. These people are so eager to please God that they draw closer to Him and are able to expirience His love and power more completely. God loves everyone equally, but sin in our lives seperates us from God. Those who live righteously are able to be closer to God and therefore "feel" more of God.

Answer 7

In order to understand this question you must first have some idea of the Plan if YAHWEH for mankind. YAHWEH had a bloodline that HE was protercting from two sides leading down through history to bring forth both Mary & Joseph, the parents of YAHSHUA OUR SAVIOR & MESSIAH! Mary was beloved by YAHWEH because she was "overshadowed by hoy spirit"; what that means is the she was completely heart, mind, body , & soul devoted to living by the perfect LAWS of YAHWEH, and so, too, was YAHSSHUA's father Joseph. Together, the were the perfect parents for the upbringing of the SAVIOR WHO would give HIS LIFE's BLOOD for the SALVATION of all mankind!

Answer 8

Remember, Mary was virtuous and she found favor with God by the life she was living at the time God's plan was going into action. She was also from the right Jewish Tribe (Judah) God didn't love her more than other young women of that time.

I would say she found favor by her love for God.

Answer 9

No. The bible says that God shows no respect of persons, which means, He shows no favoritism. He is perfectly just and righteous. Favoritism is wrong and God makes no mistakes - He is without sin. So, being that God is perfect and doesn't sin, He therefore cannot favor one person over another.

Answer 10

No, God does not favor one person over another. He does love anyone less because of what they do. He loves the person that they are but hates the sins that they do.He separates the sins from the sinner.

Answer 11

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.