Does God Give Up On People?

We all mess up. Our fallen nature causes us to give in to temptations. But as children of God, we don’t like to sin even though we do it from time to time. Like Paul, our desire is to please God.

Sadly sometimes the things that we desire the most and do are the things we know shouldn't be done.

For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good. For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice. Romans 7:15-19

All this leaves us wondering whether God still loves us despite our flaws. Or does God give up on someone when they keep messing up? Does he give us a timeframe within which we need to shape up or shape out?

Well, to answer this question, we need to, first of all, understand who God is. When we know who he is, we will know if he can give up on us.

God is Long-suffering

The Psalmist wrote that though his parents forsake him, God will never leave him. It means that even when we mess up, God will still be there for us, and he is ready to forgive us and help us overcome the challenges of this life.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Psalm 27:10

The children of Israel kept on sinning against God. They complained, turned to other gods, and did things that were displeasing to God.

But God never gave up on them.

Yes, he allowed other nations to take them into captivity, but he never gave up on them.

When they cried out to him and repented, God forgave them and rescued them from their oppressors.

If God did that in the Old Testament where people had to pay for their sins, how about now when we are living under God’s grace. It doesn’t matter what you have done. God has not given up on you. Turn to Him, repent, and walk in his ways.

God is Love

Love is defined in so many ways, but the true definition of love is God. Our heavenly Father did not spare his only son. He gave him up for us all while we were yet sinners.

If he allowed his son to die for our sins, why would he give up on us?

If God gives up on us while we are still here on earth, it means that he places a greater value on the sin than on the sacrifice his son made on the cross.

He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

But loves his son so much, and he also loves us so much. Know that God is waiting for you to run to him. He is the Father who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to look for one that is lost.

Having said that:

We should not take God for granted and live in known sin just because we know God will forgive us.

Yes, God is long-suffering, but we need to understand that the enemy is lurking around waiting for you to give him an opportunity so that he can steal, kill, and destroy you. When you live in known sin, you are giving him power over your life.

Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1Peter 5:8

When you mess up, don’t run away from God, as Adam and Eve did in the garden. Instead, run towards God and allow him to deal with your heart.

In short

God loves us so much. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Turn to him when you mess up and repent.

God doesn’t give up on anyone, but he has given us time on earth to turn from our sins to his son. We have limited time here on earth, so we should always walk in pleasing ways to God.