Does God love non-believers?
Answer
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Certainly God loves non-believers. Otherwise nobody would have any hope.
Some would say, then why does he condemn some to eternal punishment? Just as an earthly parent must punish disobedient children, and may even disinherit them, God must punish sin. He has provided a way for forgiveness, but if a person ignores that way then God must punish. Also, it would be unloving to those who obey for God to forgive those who choose not to believe.