There is a Biblical principle that is seldom embraced today. Hate sin and love God.
Hating sin does not mean hating the sinner. However, hating sin and loving sinners sometimes requires saying hard words to sinners, which are then misinterpreted by the misguided as being unkind, unloving, un-Christian and even ungodly.
True love confronts the sinner with his sin and is willing to suffer reproach, because the winning of souls is more important than being popular. It has always been this way.
THIN LINE
Hating sin and loving the sinner with perfect love is only possible when a person is cleansed from all sin by the indwelling fullness of the Holy Spirit (Ro. 5:5). This is one reason Jesus told the disciples to "tarry in the city of Jerusalem until (they were) endued with power from on high." It took the sanctifying (purifying) work of the Holy Spirit (Ac. 15:9) to make them perfect in love as the Father in heaven is perfect in love (Mt. 5:48).
It takes an humble and obedient heart to SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE (Ep. 4:15).
THIN LINE
Hating sin and loving the sinner with perfect love is only possible when a person is cleansed from all sin by the indwelling fullness of the Holy Spirit (Ro. 5:5). This is one reason Jesus told the disciples to "tarry in the city of Jerusalem until (they were) endued with power from on high." It took the sanctifying (purifying) work of the Holy Spirit (Ac. 15:9) to make them perfect in love as the Father in heaven is perfect in love (Mt. 5:48).
It takes an humble and obedient heart to SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE (Ep. 4:15).
COSTLY ENDEAVOR
Even then, it will be misinterpreted by those whose minds are darkened and who judge others according to the flesh. Confronting sin takes courage, confronting sinners takes compassion and the fullness of the Holy Spirit provides both of these qualities to the submissive follower of Christ. No correction seems to be joyous at the time it is given. The one who is corrected often thinks that the words are destructive and cruel, but soft words can be the cruelest of all.
As a pastor, and as a father,
As a pastor, and as a father,
I really do not like those times I have to be confrontational.
I don't like unpleasant encounters or seeing people hurt.
I don't like being the one who has to point out the negative issues in life.
I don't like being disliked,
hated,
misunderstood and
misrepresented.
But it has to be done.
If it was the fun thing, then there would be an attitude problem on my part. But the truth sometimes hurts and sometimes people will not turn from the error of their way until they see the ugliness or futility of their way.
Unhappily, the one who does the distasteful, but necessary thing, stands the chance of losing the love, respect and relationship of those he is trying to help, and others who falsely judge him.
