Saturday Devotional...12/31/11

Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner

Love one another. Love your enemy. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Hate the sin, love the sinner. These are familiar phrases. A favorite of mine is the last. Even though it’s not a specific quote from scripture, it’s implied over and over throughout. A quote from Mahatma Ghandi I’ve thought a lot about, I believe it to be Christ like, though surprisingly, I’ve heard much criticism about it. To me it means to not embrace the sin in this world or regard it as acceptable, but instead hate it so that you’re never tempted to do either. It means communicating to those who have embraced it that it is not acceptable behavior. However, for those who have embraced it, we’re to communicate to them compassion, mercy, and of course the remedy for their sinful life, Christ’s love.

So why is it that a quick search of this phrase will find entry after entry of Christian bloggers criticizing it…saying that this concept only causes problems because it’s just too difficult to separate the two? I’ve even read some say that Jesus never intended for us to separate the two…sin and sinners. Really? That doesn’t line up with the teachings I’ve read. How can we go out into the world and fulfill the Great Commission if we don’t love the sinner?

I noticed while doing my Christmas shopping that graphic tees are really popular among preteens, teens and young adults. I had several of those to shop for and found myself in those trendy stores in the mall sorting through shirts trying to find some decent ones to buy. One word on these t-shirts stood out to me that seemed to pop up over and over again in many creative ways…the word, “hater”. Why? Is it cool to be a hater or just cool to call others one? For several years now, I’ve seen the trend of calling others a hater because of an opinion that’s politically incorrect. Apparently, the movement has trickled down to young people who have no interest in making a political statement, but sure love looking cool by sporting the latest fashion displaying one of the hottest words to say.

I personally know people who have angrily been called “haters” because of opinions. I’ve been misunderstood by others as hating certain people because of my opinions. The truth is I’m not sure if I could actually hate anyone, though there are a lot of people that make me angry and frustrated, and of whom I would prefer to just not be around. Given the opportunity, however, I would make an effort to be a witness to each and every one of them.

I admit it’s challenging to find a balance between compassion and restrictions, and there are too many of two types of unbalanced people. On one end of the spectrum are those who hate the sin and hate the sinner right along with it. They feel it’s their duty to punish the sinner for their sin with anger, judgment, and condemnation. But when a sinner receives this kind of message, they never know that Jesus says to come as you are. This type of Christian is the one most often portrayed in T.V. and movies. It pains me to see people treated this way because even I’ve been on the receiving end of it, and I know loved ones who refuse to come to Jesus because they’ve been devastated by this treatment.

On the flip side are the ones with such extreme compassion that they excuse sinful behavior. They set no boundaries, no limits, and no restrictions on these people who live a sinful life. They’re afraid of hurting feelings and pushing others away, so although they never literally say, “What you are doing is fine with me,” they socialize in a way that it’s communicated to their loved ones just the same. They may be, “loving the sinner,” but are doing no good for their eternal soul, and I would even go far enough to say that they’re really just loving themselves because their failure to communicate disapproval of lifestyle is only because they don’t want to be rejected.

So, what does it look like to find that balance? Here are some examples.

I don’t remember her name, but I remember reading about a woman who was attacked along with her family by a man who broke into their home. She was the only survivor. Her husband and children did not make it. Through a long process, she came to a point in her life where she was able to visit this man on death row, tell him that she forgave him, and continue to regularly witness to him. The man gave his life to the Lord before his execution. She did not fight for him to be released from his punishment, but she showed him love. In the end, his soul was saved.

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand is the next example. Years ago, he took a stand and did not cower to the Communists in Romania. In his book, Tortured for Christ, he tells of the some horrific experiences and an amazing love God put in his heart.

“Finally, the worst came. Communists torture those who believe in God. With red-hot iron pokers, with rubber truncheons, with sticks, with all kinds of methods, Christians were tortured by the Communists. And then the miracle happened. When it was at the worst, when we were tortured as never before, we began to love those who tortured us. Just as a flower, when you bruise it under your foot, rewards you with perfume, the more we were mocked and tortured, the more we pitied and loved our torturers.”

This is a love that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit, not our own strength. They loved their torturers and dreamed of the day when these men would believe in Christ.

The last example is really a fictional character from the musical, Les Miserable, and although he’s really excusing a sinful act and in a way rewarding it, I believe it’s still a wonderful example of what I’m writing about because sometimes God gives us insight into a situation. I feel that’s what was portrayed by this character, enough insight to know that his act of mercy would be the turning point in another’s life. This saintly bishop took in the just released prisoner, Jean Valjean, who responds to his kindness by stealing his silver candlesticks. Then when he's caught with them and the police drag him back to the scene of his crime, the bishop says, "Oh, he didn't steal them! I gave them to him!" The bishop goes on to say that Valjean forgot the rest of his gift, so he graciously hands him more silver. The ex-convict is so amazed by the bishop’s love, his life changes forever.

I’ve been impressed by those who exhibit extreme love for people, and I’ve been impressed by those who are brave enough to take a stand against what’s wrong. But what’s really impressive is when they can do both. I believe that’s truly what Christ had in mind for His people.

Amie Spruiell 12/29/2011