Love the sinner – hate the sin

Many Christians today are verbally persecuted because they stand for the truth in God’s Holy Word. Sometimes the truth about sin is hard to swallow. Sin comes in all shapes, sizes. God sent His Son to be crucified because of the sins of the world. That would include yours, mine, and theirs. What is also true is that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins past, present and future therefore guaranteeing our Salvation should we so desire to accept God’s offer.

We are all God’s children. And He loves each and every one of his children. So much so that God will forgive us time and time again. Does God hate sin? Absolutely He does! Does he love the sinner? Absolutely He does! God even forgives a murderer if they ask, but that person must pay the earthly penalty even though they've been forgiven by God Himself.

Who commits sin? We all do; not one of us is truly worthy of God’s love because of our sins against Him. Then why do we commit sin contrary to the warnings of God the father? Because we are human, or as they say, we are “of the flesh”. We are easily swayed by Satan. Someone once said that when they had a bad thought or devious inclination, Satan would sit on their shoulder and scream at the top of his lungs “Go ahead and do it you chicken”! That’s quite a picture.

The most talked about sin that we hear about today is the sin of homosexuality. The Bible does tell us that homosexuality (among dozens of other things) is a sin.

1 Corinthians 6:8-10 (New International Version)
8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

The New King James translation also uses the word “homosexual”, but the “King James translation” uses the word effeminate.

So, does that mean that homosexuals are doomed to the lake of fire? No, not necessarily. Specifically because Jesus died for our sins. A homosexual can ask for forgiveness (as anyone else can) with a sincere heart, and they will be forgiven. But that’s where the speed bump comes in. If that sinner willfully goes back to their old habbits, then that person is back to square one regarding sin. Willfully and wantonly participating in a sinful lifestyle becomes another problem.

We all fall short of the mark and most of us, if not all of us should be asking for forgiveness on a daily basis. It’s not only homosexuals that need to ask for forgiveness! Remember there was only one sinless person who walked this earth, and He remains sinless to this day.

We are expected to follow God’s example. Love the sinner and hate the sin whatever sin that may be. Then we need to pray for that sinner and ourselves.