Why "Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin" Doesn't Work. 22 November 2014.

The quote “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is a very common quote that comes up in regards to homosexuals. Actually, that quote is found nowhere in the Bible. It’s a twist on a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” It’s interesting to note that Gandhi also said one of my other favorite quotes, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” It’s interesting, also, that this phrase only comes up in regards to homosexuals. I’ve never once heard this term used to describe any other person. It’s important to look at Christ’s time on this Earth. He was a friend of sinners, but he didn’t call them sinners or judge them in that way. When he was with “sinners”, they weren’t sinners, they were people. The Pharisses were the ones who used judged people as sinners. When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus, he was asked “What should we do with such a woman?” She was judged by people as a “sinner”, but not by Jesus. She was called “such a woman”, and reduced to something less than human. He simply said, “Neither do I condemn you.”

It’s important to look at Matthew 22:37-39. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.” It’s important to note that when Jesus said this, he did not say “Love your neighbor….but hate their sin.” Jesus was very clear about we are to do, we are to love each other. Furthermore, we should also look at Christ’s behavior on this Earth when it came to people viewed as sinners. Everywhere Jesus went, he conversed and spent time with people viewed as sinners, and he did it unconditionally. He didn’t have a “love the sinner, hate the sin” mentality. He made friendships and welcomed these people to his table. Also, this wasn’t only Christians. If you read Matthew 9:10-11 and 9:13, he extended friendship to people who had no interest in the gospel, his teachings or repenting. Jesus loved unconditionally, period. He associated with all people, no strings attached!

I encourage all Christians to live as Jesus did. Discard the phrase “Love the sinner, hate the sin”, because it isn’t something practical for us to use. Using “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is a way of saying, “I’m better than you”. It puts someone on a pedestal. It defines someone by their sin, not as a person. By principle, it is impossible to love someone but hate what they do. Imagine how a Christian would act if they were told the same thing that Christians tell gay people by an atheist. “I love you, but I don’t like what you do in the church. Please leave all your Christian activities that disgust me behind closed doors.” It wouldn’t go over very well. “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is a disguise - it’s a way to hide judgement and hatred towards something that people disagree with. The love Christ offered was unconditional, and the mentality wasn’t around hating their sin, but loving them and accepting them unconditionally. I encourage all Christians to let loose of that phrase and embrace Christ’s simple teaching: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

References:

"Setting the Record Straight on Jesus, 'the Friend of Sinners'" On Faith & Culture. Web. .

"Why I Can't Say Love the Sinner / Hate the Sin Anymore." Redemption Pictures. Web. .

"Gay Christian 101." Gay Christian 101. Web. .

"Can You Really Love Religious People If You Hate Their Religion?" Camels With Hammers. Web. .

"How We Misunderstand 'Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin'" RELEVANT Magazine. Web. .