I hear them all the time. Often, they come from the best meaning Christians who have hearts the size of Texas.
However, I think they do more harm than good.
Hate the sin. Love the sinner.
I’m guilty, too. I’ve been there and said them as well.
But then I realized they were pushing people away from me – not bringing them closer. I had to ask myself what I would think if someone walked up to me while I was living in my own sin and said,
I hate the sin you’re committing but I love you.
You know what most of us hear from that statement?
I hate you…
Does this mean we should be allowed to sin without being confronted by those who love us? No. Not saying that. I am saying, however, perhaps we should approach it in a different way, especially when it comes to those who aren’t believers.
I think this picture sums it up well, don’t you?