Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin

     Once I had a debate with a man who made the statement, we should never hate anything.  My premise was that Jesus actually commended hate.  In Revelation 2:6 Jesus stated to the church at Ephesus; "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."  Notice, however, the object of the hate of Jesus.  It was the deeds of the Nicolaitans, not the Nicolaitans themselves.  Similarly, we should have the same focus.  We hate no one, for each individual is made in the image of God.  It is pretty clear that, "God so loved the world..." (John 3:16)  As His disciples, we need to love as Jesus loved.

     Unfortunately, our world has come to the conclusion, that if you hate what I am doing, you hate me.  This is far from the truth!  Just because I disagree and speak against your action, does not mean I hate you as a person. It just means I don't like what you are doing. It make me sad you are choosing whatever it is over God, and I want you to know God the way I do. In fact, if a person is relating to you that God said your action is wrong, they are actually acting out of love.  Christians want people to have a relationship with God.  Our sins (and let's be clear, we all have them) are hindrances between us and God.  Isaiah 59:1-2 teaches "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear."

     Any person that tells you God hates an individual is WRONG, and doesn't speak for the LORD.  It is unbiblical to hate people.  If, however, someone tells you God hates your actions, AND they can back it up with Scripture, know that such a thing is true, and you have a choice to make.  God doesn't hate you, He hates what we do that keeps us from Him.  Knowing this, let us remind people how much God loves us!  Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, paid the penalty of sin against us.  All who accept His payment by faith will be saved.  Those who don't, will pay the price themselves eternally!  Will we justify our actions to ourselves, or will we turn to God?  God loves us, not our sin!