Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner
As we study the life of Christ, his attitudes about sin and sinners are made very clear to us. It is obvious that Jesus hates sin. On the other hand, it is quite apparent that Jesus loves sinners. He was often seen in the company of sinners, not for the purpose of participating in their sins, but rather to offer them forgiveness of sins. He hated sin yet loved sinners so much that he came to earth to offer himself as a sacrifice for sin (John 3:16). The old law demanded a life of sinless perfection. Jesus met that demand. He was tempted in all points just as we are, yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He thus nailed the law to the cross (Colossians 2:14). He took it out of the way and gave us the new covenant in its place. The requirement of sinless perfection was replaced with the requirement of a faith response to Jesus. This faith response not only includes belief in Jesus, but obedience to everything he commands us. True Bible faith is not passive, it is active. It requires action in the form of obedience.
We live in a sinful world. We live in a world filled with the sin that Jesus hates. Today’s world is filled with sinners. We live in a world of sinners whom Jesus loves. We must make our attitudes toward sin and sinners the same as those of Jesus. We must hate the sin and love the sinner.
Some of today’s sins are being promoted by national leaders in the name of progress, open-mindedness, or social reform. Two of these sins are particularly repulsive to Christians: abortion and homosexuality. These are promoted in the name of freedom of choice and alternative life-styles. Both of these sins are condemned in the Bible. Abortion is nothing short of murder (see Exodus 21). It is not just a matter of a woman’s choice. Homosexuality is clearly condemned in the Bible (see Romans 1). This very sin was responsible for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 19).
The point is this: Christians must hate these two sins in no uncertain terms. However, we must love the sinners. We should not even think of doing them bodily harm. We must make every effort to change their thinking by teaching them what God’s word plainly says about these matters.
It is obvious as we mention these unmentionable subjects that some Christians hate the sins, as they should. But they also hate the sinners! This attitude must be changed. This is not the attitude of Jesus!
Hate the sin, but love the sinner!