“Hate the sin. Love the sinner.” How many of us have heard that? How many of us have thought deeply about what that actually looks like? In over 30 years of living in Christendom, I’ve consistently heard only one description of what “loving the sinner” looks like. It is almost universally described as telling the sinner why he’s a sinner and calling him to repentance and faith. Calling sinners to repentance and faith is a good and right action, but is it the only action we should undertake to show love to sinners (of whom I am chief)? If you met someone whose only interaction with you was to tell you that you’re going to hell, would you believe that person loved you?
I suggest that we give some thought to ways in which we can show love for our neighbors, all of whom are sinners just like us. I’d like this to be interactive. I’ll start the conversation by sharing one way in which I believe we can show genuine love and care for sinners and I’d like you to share in comments at least one additional way that you have shown or could show love for sinners in your sphere of influence.
My suggestion is to listen actively. My favorite definition of active listening is “seeking to understand rather than to be understood.” This is the kind of listening that doesn’t spend the whole time trying to figure out how to word the rebuttal or jumping in to tell the other person why he or she is wrong. Active listening means that you are fully and completely engaged in trying to hear and understand the person who is speaking. Think of the listening you do when your teacher says “This will be on the final exam.” You forget about Facebook and take careful notes. Or think of the listening you do during the Sunday morning sermon. You aren’t waiting for your turn to speak. You are focused on hearing and understanding the message. These are examples of active listening. Listen like this to your friends and neighbors and coworkers who unashamedly practice whatever sin you find most repellant. Show that you care for them by listening. Listening does not mean agreeing. It’s okay to listen to someone's perspective and try to understand where he’s coming from, even when you disagree. Active listening is an act of love and Christians are to be recognized by their love (for supporting references, please see I John 4, I Cor. 13, & Luke 10:25-37).
That’s enough from me. Please share in comments what you do (or what you will do in the future) to actively show love for the sinner.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Fritz
Elizabeth Fritz is a Ministry Partner with Thoughtful Life Ministries and an editor of the Thoughtful Life Journal, which is published weekly from March through September. The purpose of this blog is to challenge and encourage those who have a desire to cultivate a more meaningful walk with Christ. Visit our Homepage to learn more about the ministry and our annual two-week summer Discipleship Program for teens and young adults.