That’s a common utterance in Christian circles – that we should “love the sinner and hate the sin.” But do we?
I get it. Our values – our nation – our way of life – are all under attack. “They’re ‘transing’ our kids!” “We’re being invaded from the southern border!” “They’re all liars and on the take!” I get it. I understand the feelings and opinions and they are all justifiable.
Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”
When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Matthew 2: 15-17
I’ve been a “politician” (I rather see myself as a public servant) for over two decades. “You’re known by the company you keep” certainly applies in political circles. People in Jesus’ time thought he was coming to save them politically. To lift the yoke of Roman occupation from about the neck of Israel. The fact that he came to save their souls escaped them – they thought he was coming to save their country.
So they were confused when this man they thought to be a politician kept company with “such scum.” He spoke out against the religious system of the day, yet he treated a man like Nicodemus with great respect. He denounced the love of money but showed great compassion to a rich young ruler and a Roman centurion.
Bottom line: Jesus respected the individual dignity of all people. He loved the sinner and he hated the sin.
Do we do the same? The illegal immigrant on the streets of Denver. The transgender activist seeking “gender-affirming care” for your child without your permission. The young woman who just emerged from the abortion clinic. Do we love them? Like Jesus?
Or do we shake our fists at the clouds and yell about how we would be a better nation if it wasn’t for “them?”
It’s right to stand for what you believe. It’s wrong to hate those who perpetuate that which you stand against. A political movement draws lines, makes distinctions, and all too often, casts judgments. Drawing lines and making distinctions is fine. Casting judgments – not so much.
I believe the great majority of people today have been driven away from political and civic involvement because of the vitriol and hate they observe. That’s how we get the extremes on both sides of the aisle. To center the conversation and serve all, we must truly love the sinner and hate the sin.
