Posted on February 6, 2009 - by Andy McMahon

Love the Sinner….

How do we finish that statement?  I’ve always heard, “Love the Sinner, HATE the sin.”  The more I pray about it, the more convicted I am that that’s not how it should go at all.  I think that while you may be loving the sinner, there is a negative thought in there.  You are loving the sinner, but every time they cuss, or relapse, or fail, you are hating what they are doing, thus digging some hate towards them. 

I want to start something new.  I want to start a movement, (OK, I think Jesus started this movement)  Love the Sinner THROUGH the Sin.  I honestly believe this is how it should be done.  I believe this is how Jesus did it.  

I don’t know where to start, but I do believe starting in prayer is a good place.  When you find yourself getting mad at your friends for their addictions, remember they pick up on that anger.  They feel judged, they feel helpless.  The day they fail, and still feel your love, might be the day they realize that they have the power and support to overcome that sin.  It might be the day they feel the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ!

I don’t think this is revolutionary in any sense of the word.  More common sense.  Unfortunately I think we have embedded ourselves in a culture that either hates the sin, or feeds the sin.  Let us be extraordinary visionaries here.  Let us be the ones to not feed nor hate the sin or the sinner.  Can you pray that with me?  

Lord, give us to love the sinner THROUGH his sin.  Give us the strength to hurt with them, struggle with them, and the endurance to celebrate with them.  Lord, through you, we have the strength to do this, give us reminders, daily, hourly, minutely, secondly, whatever it takes for us to look at the sin, and help someone struggle through it.  Help us carry that burden with him/her, so they don’t have to man it alone.  God, we love you, and can’t do anything without you.  But with you, we can be wounded healers, powerful guides, and positive influences.  Help us act, interact and react in a positive light, that only shows you glory!

Amen