“Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors
and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””
Luke 5:29-32 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.5.29-32.NKJV
“Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”” Matthew 22:37, 39-40 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.22.37-40.NKJV
In today’s world, we are left with deciding how to handle sin that is defined by God yet remain true to His greatest two greatest commandments. The question is if we disapprove of sins (as defined by God, not us), how do we juggle love with disapproval based on our strong beliefs that are firmly cemented biblically? Many times, our disapproval is seen as being judgmental towards others which is unloving. Yet, God clearly defines biblically what is right and what is wrong. So, if your approval or disapproval of sin(s) is/are based on the Word, is it really you who is being judgmental? I must delve into the behavior of Christ to really garner an answer.
Jesus surrounded and still surrounds himself with sinners. His sole purpose was and is to save those lost. The Church He created was developed as a hospital for sinners and a tool of salvation, not solely a sanctuary for Saints. In efforts to achieve His objective, there were times He was scathing towards others especially the Pharisees (Matthew 23). However, did He love them? Yes, He did. He was simply calling it as He sees it. I am reminded of the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus in John 3. Jesus disapproved of the Pharisees but did have conversations with them and would respond freely and honestly to their questions. In other words, Jesus would not waver on God’s definition of what is righteous over sin and did not ostracize anyone. If anyone was offended by His response which resulted in labelling, it was them who were judging, not Christ! God, at His core, hates the sin but loves the sinner. God would not have sent his only Son to die on the cross if this was not true. Unfortunately, at times, outwardly hating the sin but loving the sinner is seen as judging others, being racist, being opinionated, or being oppressive. Sometimes, believers are faced with the choice of crossing the line to fully approving of God defined sin if they want to avoid being labelled or standing firm. The sinner and sin can be separated successfully as Jesus successfully demonstrated.
As one becomes stronger with God, they develop a boldness within themselves. Just look at Paul who was filled with joy as he was being beaten. Paul loved others but was clear on his convictions even at the severe physical price he paid. Was Paul judgmental? No, it was he who was being tortured by others for his words. I often wonder whether the evil one played a hand in that by trying to beat his convictions out of him. Just like Christ, Paul didn’t yield no matter the cost.
Now, one needs to reflect on this deeper to really grasp how to handle others in a Christ like way. Here’s what I do now after much reflection:
I will always love the person no matter what they are doing or who they are. Hence, the door will always be open to them just like Christ always left the door open to others no matter who they are and what they have done or are doing. However, when asked, I will never approve or accept the sin as clearly defined by God. If there is back lash and/or pressure to accept, I make it clear that I accept the person, not the action. If I am accused of being judgmental, I point to God’s Word and show them it’s God who made the rules, not I. My role is to be obedient to Him first and foremost. However, I also make it clear that I will never alienate them because of what they do as Christ did with the Pharisees and others. I am quick to forgive as well as dictated by Christ. No one will ever be a write off in my books. I suppose it’s like disapproving of something bad your kids did but still loving them. You hated what they did, but love them.
Be Christ like as the Holy Spirit directs. Stand up for what God says is right versus wrong. Do not be double minded. However, always love others no matter who they are or what they have done or are doing. Accept that your obedience to God’s word may yield back lash and accusations of being judgmental. Take note that you are not the judge as accused but God is and whatever He determines as right over wrong is what guides your behavior and responses.
Yes, you can love others and follow God’s commands at the same time. You can accept everyone but never approve of their sin(s) just like God loves you but hates sin(s).
Jesus says:
““If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”
John 15:18-25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.18-25.NKJV
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
