‘God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life’ was a popular evangelistic catchphrase for many years. The goal was to welcome all people to hear the good news. The statement ultimately communicated a universalist message and failed to capture the true message of the gospel.
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ThisarticlewasfirstpublishedinTabletalk,theBiblestudymagazineofLigonierMinistries.FindoutmoreatTabletalkMagazine.co.ukortryitfreeforthreemonthstodayatTryTabletalk.co.uk.
‘Godlovesyouandhasawonderfulplanforyourlife’wasapopularevangelisticcatchphraseformanyyears.Thestatement’sgoalwastowelcomeallpeopletohearthegoodnews.Thestatementultimatelycommunicatedauniversalistmessage,however,andfailedtocapturethetruemessageofthegospel.
Ionceheardthestoryofanevangelistspeakingthesewordstoamanwhodrankfromasix-packofbeeronthebeach.Afterhearingthatopeningstatement,themansimplyreplied,‘Soundsgreat,’andimmediatelyopenedanothercanofbeer.Doesn’ttheman’sresponsemakesense?HisresponseshowedthatifGodalreadylovedhim,thentherewasnothingelsethatheneededtohear
