Only One Mommy

 The Lord has laid it upon my heart to write in my blog each week about a topic of interest.  I will also be posting weekly articles and such that focus on Christianity and pro-family values.  Please feel free to comment. I welcome dialogue. 

 

This week’s topic is the following:

 

 HATE THE SIN, LOVE THE SINNER 

I have been asked by many people what hating the sin and loving the sinner means. In court, I was accused of hating the sinner because I hate the sin.   In my daily life, I have been asked by women who identify themselves as homosexuals how I can “hate the sin yet love the sinner”.  Please as you are reading this post keep in mind that I am not a Bible scholar nor am I attempting “to teach” you.  Rather, I am sharing the thoughts that God has laid on my heart.

 I encourage you to learn more about this topic by reading your Bible and by talking with your Pastor.  If you do not own a Bible or even would like to delve more into this topic by reading more passages and learning more verses etc I encourage you download for FREE a copy of www.e-sword.net. This resource is FREE and offers Bible commentaries, Christian books, Bible dictionaries, and more- all, which can be downloaded instantly.   

First, I feel that I must define the words “sin” and “sinner,” “hate” and “love”- this way we will both “be on the same page.”  Many times, I discover that we as humans misunderstand one another because we both have a different interpretation of the same word, situation, and or topic being discussed. A sin is any act, thought, or deed that is in direct violation of God’s word (law).   In other words, a sin can be anything that separates us from God and keeps us from living with Him in eternity.   A sin is a sin is a sin.  Jesus tells many people to “sin not” or “to go and sin no more.”  By looking at these peoples lives, we can determine what sin is.  In addition, Jesus tells us outright what sin is.  For example, He speaks through Peter in 2 Peter 2:14 and says “having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;”  It is clear from this verse what Jesus considers sin- adultery, greed, and people who influence others for evil and not for good. 

Jesus goes on to say in I Timothy 1:9-10 the following:

 

”realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers, and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching”   

 

       From this passage, you can also surmise who is a sinner.  A sinner is a person who commits the sin- breaks the law.  Therefore, a sin and a sinner are not the same.  A sinner is the “murderer”, the “immoral men and homosexuals”, “the kidnappers”, and “the liars and perjurers”    Whereas the sin is the killing (murdering), the act of homosexuality which is the giving “over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural functions for that which is unnatural, and in the same way the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts…” (Romans 1:26-27), and the actual taking of another person and the list goes on.    

            Again, it is very clear to see what Jesus considers sin… In this passage, one can also see the types of sin and how Jesus views them all the same- that is a sin is a sin is a sin.  We must also remember that there is “no, not one who is righteous.”(Romans 3:10).   Thus, God’s law is for everyone.

Let us take one last look at what the words “sin” and the “sinner” are.  Jesus speaks numerous times on what will keep us out of heaven- living with Him.   Two such passages which the Lord directed me to when I was deciding to “leave sin and follow Jesus” and which I feel clearly defines the words sin and sinner are I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Psalms 11:1-5.   The first passage is I Corinthians 6:9-10: 

           

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the

kingdom of
God?  Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the

kingdom of
God”

 

These particular passage paralyzed me- stopped me in my tracks.  I became so fearful that I was going to hell that I turned away from God (at that time, I did not have anyone in my life who was willing to “love the sinner”).  I did not read further.  Instead, I turned deeper in sin.  I encourage you though to continue reading.  Read on though this passage and find out what can be done so that you may enter the

kingdom of
God.

Verse 11 tells me “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”  It is these people- such were some of you – who will enter the kingdom of heaven.  All is not lost.  Accept Jesus, repent of your sins and begin living a life for Christ and you will see Him in Heaven. 

           

The second passage, which really spoke to me, is Psalms 15: 1-5.   Jesus speaks through David and tells us who may abide with Him.  

           

“O lord, who may abide in Your tent?  Who may dwell on Your holy hill?  He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.  He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; he swears to his won hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken”

 

WOW!  This passage packs a punch!  Jesus tells me both how to act and how not to act in these five verses.   I read this passage in 11^th grade and God used it to convict my heart years later. 

 

            I just realized how long this post is becoming.  So, I think I will close with a simple definition of “hate” and “love”.   The word “hate” denotes a “turning away from”. The word “love” denotes a “turning toward”.    With these two definitions in mind, I will summarize my answer to how I can “hate the sin and love the sinner.” 

            I try to turn away from any act, thought, or deed, which is contrary to God’s laws, and try not to engage in the act of sinning.   I am not saying I am perfect- rather I am turning away from the path the sin may take me- Proverbs 4:13.   As I turn away from the sin, I am turning toward God.  I am looking to follow Him – His teachings, His laws. I am seeking His will for my life- what does He want me to do rather than what do I want to do.  He clearly teaches all throughout His ministry on earth that we are to hate the sin but love the sinner.  He tells us this very simply in Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”   He goes on to say in His same sermon (the Sermon on the Mount) that if we are angry against another then we are also sinning and are just as guiltily as murderers are.  He goes on to teach us too what the public school system knows as the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  

All these teachings and more (even Old Testament law handed down from God such as the 10 Commandments and teachings from God to His people as such can be found in Leviticus 19:17 “You shall not hate your fellow man in your heart, you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.  You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.”)  tell me to hate the sin because sin is “an abomination to the Lord” and to love the sinner because we are to display the characteristics that Jesus taught us as He was living on this earth and what God has taught us from the beginning of time.