Love VS Hate

Should We Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner?

What’s wrong with the phrase “Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner”?

No, the term isn’t found in the Bible? But is the concept there? For folks with secular ears, inculcated in the wisdom of this age, it doesn’t even mattered that the concept is biblically-based. For decades now, new age churches and modern biblical scholastics have been teaching that old school morality is simply out dated and irrelevant. In their wisdom, the Bible is merely writings of men, with no spiritual authority. Therefore, the ancient moral precepts found in Christian tradition may be easily dismissed.

Understanding this prevailing state of the secular mindset in the Church, I don’t go out of my way to confront churches or individuals who’ve been so deceived. Most of my efforts are presented so that believers, can bolster their faith with sound teachings. My writings are never intended to condemn anyone. At times however, a certain bishop, priest, or other preacher my spark my ire, causing me to speak out in defense of the faith. But, even Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world. Without Him they are lost anyway. Every message I present is with one loving purpose, teaching truth to believers in a dead and dying world. In doing so, it is my prayer that God may grace others with a stronger faith, and even prompt some of to shake off their strong delusion.

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Worldly Wisdom

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written:“He catches the wise in their craftiness.” And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

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There is a “strong delusion” at work in the world which is causing multitudes to follow the politically correct lies of modernism and new age theology. Read the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians to learn more about what I mean. In this light, what was once taught as good is now seen as evil, therefore, simply teaching biblical morality has now become unloving at the minimum, but more commonly called bigotry and hate speech.

Speaking out against worldly wisdom is the cross that has been laid upon my heart. However, coming to recognize the god-given delusion at work brings me some level of comfort. No, it’s not that I’m simply okay with witnessing folks floundering in their sins. It’s realizing that I’m only a messenger. Their salvation is not my personal responsibility. It’s up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person’s heart. I must merely be faithful to my own calling.

Yes my friends, the Apostle tells us many things in scripture regarding sin. He even tells us that the Book, we call “Holy” can be an effective tool in teaching others spiritual truth. However, for those locked into their delusional minds, they’ve embraced the lie that Bible passages contradicting their moral worldview are simply hate-filled ”bashing verses,” being used to “clobber” with invective and bigoted hate.

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All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16

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My sisters and brothers, a loving rebuke promotes dignity, offers respect, and rejects shame in a heart that is graced to be disposed to hearing the word of truth. Christ did not die so that believers would hate themselves or hate anyone else; he died so they could be reunited with God and find peace with the Father.

Have you ever unknowingly confronted someone who was mentally delusional, attempting to point out their false understanding? It’s never pretty, and rarely has a positive outcome. The same is true when witnessing Christ’s truth to folks under a spiritual delusion. There is no amount of logic or facts that will sway them from their prideful positions. The following verse from John’s Gospel illustrates what we’re up against.“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” Someone who loves the Lord and “lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God” (John 3:20).

As Jesus corrected his disciples we are to witness to those in our own sphere of influence. We have this as an example, where the apostles were compelled to speak truth in order to encourage and correct fellow believers. Christians today are called to do the same, yet so often refrain from doing so.

What it Means to Love the Sinner and Hate the Sin?

“Hate” is a strong word; “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). To hate sin is to kill sin, not the person. The modern delusional ear hears imprecatory comments regarding their pet sin as hate speech against them, individually. They blinded and don’t recognize either biblical or church authority on the subject. In essence they are simply following teachings of men that tickles their ears, having no regard whatsoever for the historic deposit of faith.

A genuinely repentant heart recognizes sin for what it is, finds sin repugnant, grieves the cost of transgression, although grief should give way to joy (repentance and salvation without regret, what Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 7:10). One might truly wrestle with a sin for his or her entire life, but it was ultimately defeated by Christ at the resurrection for those who believe in Christ for salvation, and repent.

Willfully sinning against God separates him from his people. This is the eternal cost for those who refuse to repent or who only offer disingenuous, earthly repentance (the flip side of Paul’s statement in the verse above). Hating sin, then, is natural for those who love Christ and wish to be with him eternally.

Repentance looks like this. “First, there is conviction. You must know what is right before you can know what is wrong.” One discovers right from wrong by studying Scripture and authentic teachings regarding the same. New Age pastors and teachers do use the same Bible, they simply don’t find it’s moral teachings relevant. Second is “sincere regret,” as described in 2 Corinthians 7:10. The final step is “changing your mind, changing your attitude, changing your ways.”

Hating sin does not amount to empty promises. It is not an expectation that one should pull up his socks and tough out temptation in his own strength. Hating sin is not an excuse to be angry with someone. Hating sin has a purpose: To bring a Christian back into communion with the Lord and help him to find freedom from slavery to a destructive behavior or pattern of thinking.

The abiding emotion behind this hatred is actually love. By addressing their own sin and pervasive sins in fellow believers’ lives, Christians demonstrate faith in and obedience to God. Consider how difficult it is to confront someone who is rebelling against God: This is sacrificial submission and a love, which is often misunderstood.

A Core Issue

Complicating the strong delusion at work in the world today, many self-proclaimed Christians find it more important to identify who they are in relation to their sin, rather than simply as a child of God. My friends, it’s imperative that we follow Jesus in both spirit and truth. Becoming reconciled with God, via faith in Jesus is the most important thing we can do in our lives. Doesn’t it sound reasonable to seek the most Authentic Faith possible? What in your own life do you find more important than God? Whatever that may be, it is idolatry. Whether it’s your sexuality (of any orientation), or any number of things scripture calls out as being sin, we are told to put them aside for the Love of God. No, this sin thing is not hating one particular class of sin. All sin separates people from God.

Love the Sinner Meaning

The second greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Real love is patient, kind, humble, polite, and gentle. It “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Guilt and condemnation do not achieve what love can and they do not lead to joy. They might uncover hidden wrongdoing, but without patience; without humility.

For the one open to receiving, a loving rebuke promotes dignity, offers respect, and rejects shame. Christ did not die so that believers would hate themselves or hate anyone else; he died so they could be reunited with God and find peace. Peace, love, and truth crowd out chaos, hatred, and lies. Calling out sin in other people is an act of love when done lovingly.

A Christian cannot repent for another person, yet a fellow believer can expose sin by shining a light on it. “We hate our own sin, first and foremost, and we take others’ sin seriously because we take their eternal good seriously.” One must first acknowledge personal sin and be open to correction by Christian brothers and sisters who care deeply.

No where in Christian tradition are we called to accept sin or conform to the sins of the world. Of course, hating individual people because of their particular sins is antithetical to the Christian calling. In all things, we believers MUST emulate Christ’s love and compassion for our neighbors on this journey. No, not everyone gets it! And “not everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

There are an abundance of folks out there speaking in God’s name, who are the furthest from him. Jesus called them “thieves and robbers.” These charlatans are keeping multitudes from true, authentic faith in Jesus, spreading the strong delusion.

++Michael