Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin... But Who's the Sinner?

In the past few weeks, states have made decisions on same-sex marriage and the president of our country has come clean on where he stands on the issue. I’ve seen reactions from both sides of the deep canyon, and I’ve seen so much hate from either side. I have to admit I am most bothered by the hate that comes from the side that claims to be Jesus’ followers. (Read more: Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin. Yes, But Who's the Sinner? by Abet Victoria)

An excellent article. I will not deny that some prominent Christians did not do a decent job in pointing sin to others. That is why evangelical Christians are stereotyped as judgmental and bigoted. I think the issue is deeper than just poor communication skills from these Christians. I think our “secular” neighbors just do not get it when Christians bring up the idea of sin. The world believe that people are intrinsically good and there’s no such thing as sin. Often, bad choices are viewed as products of something else other than the condition of the human heart – such as poverty, lack or education, poor upbringing, genetics, etc. Christians don’t hate people, we just draw the distinction between the sin and the sinner. Christians want to help them understand that what they are doing is sinful. We’re just communicating what God said in the Bible. It is not bigotry, just genuine concern. Remember, Christians are also the first people to go to prisons and hospitals and embrace those who are sick with AIDS.

How we speak about it, is also very important. It is also wrong to demonize sinners. Remember, Jesus also prayed and wept over the people who will crucify him. We can love the sinner while hating the sin. We do not love them only after they come out of the closet or when terrible things are already said about them. Love should be a daily act and specially before we reproach others.

(Posted originally on on Facebook)