HATE THE SIN, LOVE THE SINNER?

I hear this often, and I believe it is damaging to the human race God gave himself to save.

I see it played out time and time again as people repost articles and share things on social media that for some reason they believe needs to be shared. Probably to reach the “sinner” right?

There are so many reasons I believe that this phrase and the behavior it encourages are total crap. I don’t think I have everything right. I don’t think I know everything. This is just my heart on the matter.

On what planet do we define ANYONE by their sin? Seriously. When were we ever called to do that? I don’t remember that being a commandment, a request, or even a nod. In fact, I feel like I remember reading the opposite. A lot. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love one another as Christ loves us. LAY YOUR LIFE DOWN FOR ONE ANOTHER. We group people. Us and them. “Well, they’re a sinner but I’m going to love them anyway.” That’s not their identity! Their identity is loved by God. Beautifully and wonderfully made. A mirror image of the creator of the universe.

I also recall that Christ took the weight of sin and death UPON HIMSELF, killed it, and then defeated it. I don’t think he left out any sins. Sure, the effects of sin should break your heart. Broken families, separation from relationship with Jesus, pain, suffering…those are the things we should hurt for, but that has nothing to do with the actual sin itself. THAT is not our job.

It would also seem that those who parade that phrase are very specific about the sins they are supposed to hate. Just sayin.

This entire war that Christians have created under the guise of “standing for what is right” is not only wrong; it’s distinctly UN-Christlike. Jesus often got in trouble for hanging out with the lowest of society. He was love. That is what was so revolutionary. When someone re-posts an article decrying the “gay agenda…” what exactly are they trying to accomplish? Do you think that someone you believe to be in sin will read it and think “WELL DAMN! I’m a sinner! Better join in on whatever this person is doing!” I would propose that it comes less from a place of loving the sinner at all and more about being seen by others who believe as they do. It’s a pride thing. Which, turns out, is DEFINITELY a sin.

When we are to call out a sin or an offense, it’s out of relationship. Which means, you have no business even recognizing the sin of another unless you have loved them to the point of relationship.

Just maybe, if we loved like Jesus, instead of being “good Christians”, we could actually reach the heart of those who don’t know how loved they are.