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May 20, 2023

An Apparent Paradox

I recently heard one of my favorite Pastors (Pastor Charles Tapp-Senior Pastor at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church), speak on the phrase hate the sin but love the sinner. He used the word paradox when relating the contradictory nature of this statement.

I did what I almost always do when confronted with a biblical belief that seems to be controversial or interesting to me. I went to the internet for a definition of the word paradox. Oxford Dictionary defines paradox as “a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true” The dictionary also noted that a paradox is “ a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.”

Armed with this explanation I requested google to give me instances in which the bible refers to this concept. I knew that the phrase “hate the sin, love the sinner” itself was not really in the bible but rather is one of those axioms that Christians are called to live up to. Unfortunately, I also note that too many Christians truly cannot understand how this is possible. How can I love someone who does evil? Or better yet Why should I love those who perpetrate evil?

The first result from my search was Got Questions. This is one of my favorite sources/resources. [SIDE NOTE] I recall in the early 1970s when I was beginning to embark on lay duties in Woodlawn United Methodist Church, I was eager to know what the bible had to say about anything and everything. I would spend long hours of searching through Strong’s Concordance to find out where various scriptural topics were found in the bible. I did not own a commentary. I was intent upon reading for myself what the scriptures said. I wanted to know what God’s word said about any topic that I was interested in searching out. I recall taking my Pastor (Frederick Hobbs) at his word when he would say don’t take my word for it search it out yourself to see what the bible says. I held that focus for most of my early walk with the Lord. If I heard a preacher preach on a topic and something struck a note of interest, or I wanted to know more I would open my concordance and go to work at trying to understand why it was so or even if it was so as the preacher had said. Eventually my mother helped to encourage me to take advantage of some of the great commentaries that have been made available for our admonition, encouragement and instruction. The greatest benefit for me of this hard work was I have developed a great appreciation for the work of the Holy Spirit in seeing to it that I do not go astray of his Word when hearing a preacher say things that does not agree with my understanding of the Word of God. I am not saying that I know it all or am perfect at interpreting the Word of God. What I am saying is the Spirit of the Living God is the one who has kept me on track and on target. The times that I have faltered, or failed have been when I did not adhere to what the scriptures say. [End Side Note]

That being said, now-a-days we have access to such wonderful sources like Got Questions, The Blue Letter Bible Program, Bible Hub, You Version Bible, etc., to help us in our understanding of the Word of God. We have faithful ministers of the Word of God who rightly divide the Word of God and share their understanding with us. Wonderful bible teachers like recently deceased Pastor Charles Stanley. And I know you are aware of my appreciation for Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Both of these men have been strong influences on my growth as a believer. They appear prominently in a lot of my writing.

The response from Got Questions

“Many Christians use the cliché “Love the sinner; hate the sin.” This saying is not found in the Bible in so many words; however,   Jude 1:22–23 contains a similar idea: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” According to this, our evangelism should be characterized by mercy for the sinner and a healthy hatred of sin and its effects.” 

As the above passage points out we are to recognize that we all as sinners require God’s mercy and grace. None of us can stand before Jesus and claim worthiness on our own merit. Instead, we stand humbly in Jesus’ presence recognizing that in us, in our natural state there is nothing to commend us to God our Holy savior.

Praise God He has chosen Grace and Mercy. The same grace and mercy that God showed toward us to save our souls from an eternal death ought to be shown to others. We are to be merciful to those who doubt the truth of God’s Word. We are to show mercy to that individual whose behavior condemns them and places them outside of the compassion of the rest of the world. We are to look upon them recognizing that but for the grace of God that is how we could be living or more importantly dying.

Jude says something rather interesting in these verses of scripture. He says we are to “show mercy, mixed with fear”. What fear could he have in mind? We can immediately rule out the cringing cowering fear of one who does not know the Love of God. I believe we are to be fearful of the consequences of that person’s unrepentant state. We are to recognize that this person is destined for eternal damnation should they not come to repentance. We are to hate their deeds but fear for their lost souls. 

Paul looked at his fellow Jews this way when he proclaimed "I speak the truth in Christ. I'm not lying. My conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit. I have great sorrow, an unceasing anguish in my heart for I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people." Romans 9:1-5

This deep concern for the souls of those who were trying to kill him, discredit him, stop him, is an expression of the “fear” that I believe Jude is referring to.

Another great preacher of the Word of God that inspires me and blesses my soul is Charles Spurgeon. He was a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Victorian age. Much of what he wrote is in that style of writing and often requires deeper analysis and consideration. There are other times where he gets to the very heart of the matter very succinctly. Such is the case in a message he preached entitled “Righteous Hatred”, Delivered on Sabbath Morning, August 8, 1858, by the Rev. C.H. Spurgeon.

Spurgeon declares to his listeners, “The word “hate” must be cut out of the language of a Christian, except it be used with one meaning and intention only, and that, the meaning of my text.” And after many examples of how or what not to hate he states, “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.” Which biblical admonition Jude refers to in his short exhortation “hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:23) Sin is like a filthy garment wrapped around us that corrupts us; separates us from our Holy God. Until we are cleaned by the grace and mercy of God we cannot see him, we cannot enter into his kingdom, we cannot be welcomed into his eternal presence.

Spurgeon offers for his listeners an example of sin we are to hate without hating the person: “When thou hatest a man’s false doctrine, thou art still to love the man, and hate his doctrine even out of love to his soul, with an earnest desire that he may be reclaimed from his error and brought into the way of truth.” Consider the reality of God’s grace that says, “where sin abounds grace does much more abound.” Romans 5:20 We are to be that grace that God can use to restore the erring brother or sister. We are to labor in prayer for the erring brother or sister as though our own souls were at stake.

Spurgeon then indicates that it is not only the sins of others that we must hate. We must first hate sin in our own lives; our sin that separates us from the grace of God. We are to hate sin in our lives that hinders our prayers before the throne of God. We are to not only hate the sin that hurts us, but we are also to hate our sins that do harm to others.

Spurgeon notes that there is one guiding principle for why we are to hate sin and yet love the sinner, “the thought that Jesus Christ hath lived and died for me.” How can we say we love Jesus and not love those for whom he died? 1 John 4:20 says, “If a man says, “I love God,” and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” KJV I really like the Amplified Bible’s version of 1John 4:20, “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen,   cannot love God whom he has not seen.” The overarching message is we must not hate those for whom Christ Jesus gave his life. This encompasses God’s requirement that we pray for those who despitefully use us. We are to pray for them because Christ died for them.

Matthew 5:43-45 can only be fulfilled by the love of God, the grace and mercy of God working through us. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” In our natural state this form of love is impossible. But the miracle of regeneration changes our heart, it changes our perspective, it changes how we see ourselves, and the world around us. We see with new eyes. We love with new hearts. We are able to see those for whom Christ Jesus died in a new way. For some this is not a paradox. They are able to see this as another example of their obedience to the one who called them to follow him. So as Christ has loved and demonstrated God’s grace these will also do all in their power to obey God and trust him with the consequences of their obedience. Then there are others who not only see this as a challenging paradox, but they also see it as a nearly impossible request. If you find that you have struggled to be the grace of God to those for whom you find you have the least love, I recommend the first step is to acknowledge the truth of the Word of God. Even if you cannot live it yet, you can begin by acknowledging that it is the Word of God. Step 2, like the father who struggled to hold fast to his faith in Jesus’ power to heal his child proclaimed, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) You begin the process of coming to that place of grace for the unloved, by acknowledging your struggle with fulfilling the Word of God in this area. Ask him who is faithful, to do a work in your heart and soul so that you too can walk in the same grace that compelled Jesus to give his life for those who tortured him, despised him, and crucified him. Jesus not only forgave the repentant thief on the cross. He cried out to his father to forgive them who were crucifying him. This sacrificial love (Agape love) is unique to Christians. The bible says, by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, because you have (agape) love for one another. (John 13:35) As you grow in your love for the Lord you will also grow in your love for those for whom Jesus died. Is it easy? No. Will it cause you moments of trial and temptation? Yes. Can you, do it? Yes, by the grace of God, you can do “all things!”(Phi 4:13) 

Father, I thank you for the timelessness of your Word and your Promises. I pray you will use these words to encourage your children as they grow in their relationship with you. I pray that you will work in the heart of every person who does not know you as Lord to bring them to yourself, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are called to a walk of obedience that sets us apart from non-believers Read chapter 15 of the Gospel of John. Be sure to take in verses 9 through 14. In these verses Jesus frankly tells his disciples that he loves them even as his father loves him. Then he tells them to remain (abide) in his love. How will we know that we are in his love? We know that we are abiding in his love if we are imitating the life he lived in service to others.

If you are able to stop here and open your bible to John 15:9-14 - think deeply about what it means to you to remain or continue in Jesus’ love. For me I know that I am continuing in Jesus’ love when I am obedient to do the things that I know that Jesus would have me do. It is not in speaking but in doing that our love is observed. Our love is not only observed by God, but it is also observed by those around us.

It is not in saying I have faith, or I believe but it is in demonstrating that faith by doing the works of faith that our witness has its greatest effect. James tells us faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-20) Instead of saying be warm and filled and walking away we are called to make that warmth possible if it is in our means; make that filling possible if it is within your means. As Jesus was obedient to the Father and demonstrated the Love the Father had for his creation, you and I are called to the same work of ministry. The only thing that may be different about our calling to ministry will be found in how that call is manifested. This is where the Ephesian Model comes in: The Apostle Paul tells us that God has given to each of us a certain amount of grace that accompanies individual gifting(s). The grace is so that you will be able to use that gift for the benefit of others. Were it not for that measure of grace we would consume the gift for our own needs and gratifications. But along with the gifting, God has included a portion of his grace. We are able to act selflessly because of the grace of God at work in our lives. We are able to excel in meeting the needs of others because of the grace of God that has accompanied his gifting.

Regardless of what the gifting from God is in your life it has an outward not an inward purpose. We can derive the greatest joy, the greatest blessing, the greatest pleasure when we have focused our gift toward those in need. The grace and gifts from God have a three-fold purpose according to Paul: 1. The perfecting of the saints-that is the maturing of the saints of God into the servant-heirs of his kingdom 2. The work of the ministry - the obligation, responsibility, duty of all God’s children is to continue the work that Jesus began. Teaching men to know the good news of the Father’s love and sacrifice and coming judgement is an ongoing work until Jesus returns. 3. The edifying of the body of Christ- Instead of finding and exposing one another’s faults we need to be supporting one another’s growth in the Lord. If we find a brother or sister overcome by a fault, failure, or sin we are to help them to restoration. (Gal. 6:1) When we fulfill the scriptures that admonishes us to bear one another’s burdens, we make it possible for the true work of Christ to be done. Men will know that we are his disciples by our love one for another. (Jo 13:35) What will you do to promote the Ephesians Model in your own life and church? selah

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