Love The Sinner, but Hate The Sin

[AlexB23]

Hello folks. Remember this classic Christian adage? "Love the sinner, hate the sin"? Today, we will delve into just that, using two Bible verses. This is something that I sometimes struggle with, but hey, let us dive into Amos and Jude together, brothers and sisters.

Date​	June 18, 2024 | Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin​
Verse​	Amos 5:13-15 (NIV): "Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil. Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph." Jude 1:22-23 (NIV): "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."​
Explanation​	These passages emphasize the importance of living a godly life and showing love to others, particularly to those who may be struggling with sin or temptation. In Amos 5:13-15, the prophet Amos is encouraging the people of Israel to seek good and avoid evil in order to live in the presence of God. He urges them to maintain justice and to hate evil, while showing love and mercy to those who are repentant and seeking to follow God. The context suggests that the times were difficult and evil, and that it was important for the people to remain faithful and prudent in the face of temptation. Jude 1:22-23, on the other hand, is a message from the apostle Jude to his readers, urging people to show mercy to those who are struggling with doubt or who have fallen into sin. He encourages them to help others by snatching them from the fire of sin and showing them mercy, mixed with fear. The emphasis here is on the importance of showing love and compassion to those who are struggling, while also recognizing the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and restoration. Both passages highlight the importance of loving the sinner while hating the sin. In other words, as Christians, we are called to show compassion, mercy, and forgiveness to those who are struggling with sin or temptation, while also holding fast to the truth of God's word and calling them to repentance and restoration.​
Societal Relevance​	In the modern world, as Christians, we can show love to sinners by offering them support, encouragement, and prayer. We can listen to them and offer them a listening ear, without judgment or condemnation. We can also share the gospel message of love, forgiveness, and redemption with them, while also holding fast to the truth of God's word and calling them to repentance and restoration. We can do this through acts of kindness and service, through sharing the good news of the gospel, and through prayer and intercession. Ultimately, our goal should be to help sinners stay steadfast in their faith and to grow in their relationship with God, while also recognizing the seriousness of sin and the importance of repentance and restoration. Amos & Judith can be a little difficult for me to follow, as I can be quick to judge others. For instance, certain modern movements in the 2020s bother me and have especially bothered me since 2023. However, God tells us to love the sinner. Instead nowadays, I try to pray for those who struggle with temptations and sin. It is hard to live up to Christian ideals sometimes, but if Jesus forgave us of our sins, then we can forgive others, or at least not judge others as harshly.​