Spiritual Warfare Prep

Spiritual Warfare Prep
We Are In The Lord's Army

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

'Hate The Sin; Love The Sinner' Cliche

I have had very little time lately to write blogs, but I have a lot of blog ideas going around in my mind!

With the challenge of trying to keep my blogs short, and with lots of ideas, where do I begin and how do I make it short enough so everyone can read?

The idea I am currently thinking of is the one where I saw a quote from a well known Bible teacher/pastor who is putting out memes on Christian cliches that he considers useless. The cliche I saw the other day was one that said, 'Hate the sin; love the sinner'.

I hear many professing Christians, especially in evangelical circles, who think that this cliche is not good. I guess, the reason why must be because perhaps it will lead people to think that God is an all-loving, all-forgiving God who will allow anyone into heaven who has raised their hand, went down to the altar, or said a prayer that should get the person into heaven. But I disagree with that whole idea.

Does God love the sinner or does God hate the sinner? The answer appears to be both. God is angry with the wicked every day. Who are the wicked? The wicked would include all of us. God's wrath also is on the person who does not believe in the Son (Jesus). Yes, God is angry with the wicked, and unless the wicked person is redeemed, he or she will be under God's wrath for eternity.

God is so holy and pure that no sin will ever be in His presence. But let us look further into this. Romans 5:6-8 gives us another angle on this. God doesn't just leave us in our wickedness. He has made a way out for us, if we take it.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (English Standard Version).

If God treated us as our sins deserve, no one would be able to stand. There would be no chance for us to be redeemed and reconciled back to Him. 

So, when we see people who are lost in their sins, should we treat them according to their sins? Should we revel that we are no longer under God's wrath but they are? How would you want God to treat you, while you were in your sins? 

God is angry with the wicked. But, God wants the wicked to be redeemed. He went through all the trouble to send His Son, who took on human flesh, to become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. If we continue to distance ourselves from the 'sinner', then they will never be able to come to Christ for salvation, and they will assume wrongly that God 'hates' them.

We need to treat others in the same way we would want to be treated. Do we have some kind of edge on God that makes us superior than others? Or, can we says of ourselves, I am just one beggar telling other beggars where to find bread? 

Do any of us ever deserve God's love?