Hate Sin Love the Sinner

[Hopefully]

Repentance looks like this. “First, there is conviction. You must know what is right before you can know what is wrong.” One discovers right from wrong by studying Scripture. Second is “sincere regret,” as described in 2 Corinthians 7:10. The final step is “changing your mind, changing your attitude, changing your ways.”

Hating sin does not amount to empty promises. It is not an expectation that one should pull up his socks and tough out temptation in his own strength. Hating sin is not an excuse to be angry with someone. Hating sin has a purpose: To bring a Christian back into communion with the Lord and help him to find freedom from slavery to a destructive behavior or pattern of thinking.

The abiding emotion behind this hatred is actually love. By addressing their own sin and pervasive sins in fellow believers’ lives, Christians demonstrate faith in and obedience to God. Consider how difficult it is to confront someone who is rebelling against God: This is sacrificial submission and a love, which is often misunderstood.

A genuinely repentant heart finds sin repugnant and grieves the cost of transgression, although grief should give way to joy (repentance and salvation without regret, what Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 7:10). One might truly wrestle with a sin for his or her entire life, but it was ultimately defeated by Christ at the resurrection for those who believe in Christ for salvation.

A loving rebuke promotes dignity, offers respect, and rejects shame. Christ did not die so that believers would hate themselves or hate anyone else; he died so they could be reunited with God and find peace. Peace, love, and truth crowd out chaos, hatred, and lies. Calling out sin in other people is an act of love when done lovingly.

A Christian cannot repent for another person, yet a fellow believer can expose sin by shining a light on it. “We hate our own sin, first and foremost, and we take others’ sin seriously because we take their eternal goodseriously.” One must first acknowledge personal sin and be open to correction by Christian brothers and sisters who care deeply.

Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Western Christians are afraid to follow this command. Steven J. Cole explains why: “The dominant mood in the American church today [is] that we should show love and tolerance to those who fall into sin.”

Many people take “do not judge lest you also be judged” (Matthew 7:1) out of context and use it to mean that calling out sin is judgmental and intolerant. Some pastors fear that congregations will thin out because people feel they are being “judged” when sisters or brothers in Christ shed light on their sins. But the danger is that fear of man will usurp fear of God. “Humility does not shrink back from calling sin, sin; pride does,” writes Greg Morse.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/why-do-we-forget-to-hate-the-sin-and-love-the-person.html%3famp=1

 

[Hopefully]

How to Hate Sin and Love Sinners

Christians must silence the voice of society and hear God’s voice above all others. Here is a reasoned approach to speaking truth in love:

1. Repent of sin in your own life first. Ask God for forgiveness and ask him for strength in Christ to overcome that sin. Be open to admonition or guidance from a godly brother or sister.

2. Pray for direction, courage, and a humble heart of love for the other person. Pray to be motivated by concern and love, not anger or competition. Pray before talking; pray during the discussion; and pray afterwards. Pray for the individual whose sin has been exposed: he might be hurt for a while. Pray until it’s clear he or she has managed to overcome the sin issue in a healthy, God-honoring way. Pray lovingly even if you were rejected.

3. Be clear. What is the sin specifically? Locate biblical references and reliable sources of exposition in order to establish a position rooted in God’s Word, not personal opinion. Stick with one issue, get the facts straight, even write them down if necessary. Ask questions; don’t make assumptions.

4. Put on the Full Armor of God.Defensiveness and anger are common when someone feels attacked. This can lead to a counterattack. Prepare for spiritual warfare. Remember what’s at stake. Use the shield of faith to cover a friend weakened by sin.

5. Plan for joy. The world says “protect self-interest. Do what feels good. Define and protect your own truth.” When two Christians agree on a bigger truth, they are willing to fight for at great risk to personal comfort, God is glorified. Jesus said to his followers “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/why-do-we-forget-to-hate-the-sin-and-love-the-person.html%3famp=1