Are You a Loving Christian?
Justin on the Topic of Christian Living

Here’s the scenario:

A Christian man who once identified as a homosexual was delivered and set free by the power of God. He has repented, and has been made fully aware that homosexuality is a dangerous sin. Because of his extreme encounter with the Lord in this situation, he is passionate about warning others of this sin. However, the majority of Christians believe that they are supposed to “love the sinner, and hate the sin”, which basically means that they have to keep their mouth shut and never say anything that would convict the person. Is this being a loving Christian?

Absolutely NOT! I’m constantly amazed at how Christians respond to the sin of homosexuality, and a multitude of other common sins. It’s at the point where if you speak against someone who is sinning, you are being “hateful”. They often toss around the phrase, “but God is love.” Yes, He is. He is perfect love, and perfect love doesn’t want you to sin!

Job 15:17-18 says,

Happy and fortunate is the man whom God reproves; so do not despise or reject the correction of the Almighty [subjecting you to trial and suffering]. For He wounds, but He binds up; He smites, but His hands heal.

God is going to make you uncomfortable sometimes. In fact, He is even going to hit you (smite), and give you wounds when you are doing something wrong. He does this, because He loves you!

Imagine you have a child (maybe you do), and you see that child stealing something in the store. Are you going to keep your mouth closed, and turn your head? NO! You are going to scold him, and hopefully punish him for his unacceptable behavior.

To keep our mouths closed for the sake of not making someone feel uncomfortable is not love. In the New Testament, if someone was guilty of committing the same sin over and over without repenting, they were publicly humiliated in the church! Are we doing this today?

Fornication is a sin that seems to be widely accepted in America. When is someone going to start telling people that this is wrong again? We need some tough love in this world!

Revelations 3:19 says,

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

What are your thoughts on this?

Written on March 20, 2008 |

7 Responses to “Are You a Loving Christian?”
  1. Sicarii Says:

    The quote “love the sinner, and hate the sin” is not Biblical, but spouted by Mahatma Gandhi, and I don’t think he ever was a Christian.

    Christians wield it so as not to offend, but I agree with you — it is wrong. This is not an excuse, but it is quite natural that we do not want to offend others, but at the end of the day, we need to decide if we serve God and seek to please Him or man.

    “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

    – Galatians 1:10 ESV

    Shalom.


    Comment Submitted: March 20th, 2008 at 5:30 pm


  2. Theology Today Says:

    Great Post!

    The “seeker friendly” churches fail to even mention sin so many don’t even know what sin is anymore. This goes back to deceiving the elect.

    The key in pointing out sin is understanding how and when to do this….and to make darn sure you aren’t being hypocritical in the process. God HATES sin but HATES hypocrites more.

    If you are going to point out sin, be prepared for a WHOLE HEAP OF TROUBLE! I know this first hand and anyone who goes to my site can see this. Study, prayer and daily devotions are a must!

    Phil


    Comment Submitted: March 21st, 2008 at 2:54 am


  3. Sidharth Says:

    Love the sinner and hate the sin is perfectly biblical.

    But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.[Romans 5:8]

    But the problem as you said is with what love means.

    “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” [1 Cor 13:6]

    God loves us and so He rebukes us when we go wrong. This is true love.

    Sidharth


    Comment Submitted: March 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pm


  4. Sicarii Says:

    Sidharth,

    I believe that I was misunderstood. I meant that that is not a saying from the Bible per se.

    Shalom.


    Comment Submitted: March 21st, 2008 at 1:24 pm


  5. Sidharth Says:

    Well, Isaiah, you should have written “Love the sinner, hate the sin is not a phrase from the Bible”. Which is a known fact ;)


    Comment Submitted: March 21st, 2008 at 10:16 pm


  6. Carol Says:

    If Christians think that gently reproving someone about their sin is not love, then how are they to heed the two greatest Commandments: “to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor” if they don’t know what love is? They would be transgressing the Laws, hence sinning themselves! The problem is that their thinking is worldly, not Biblical. Their ‘love’ in “tolerance” is reflecting today’s secular climate.


    Comment Submitted: March 23rd, 2008 at 5:58 am


  7. Sicarii Says:

    Sidharth:

    Yea I should have, lol! Sometimes I write too fast and just wish there was an ‘edit’ button. ;)

    Shalom!


    Comment Submitted: March 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm



Leave a Reply