NO HATE, JUST LOVE

We all feel like horrible, sinful, messed-up people sometimes, don't we? The only difference between people is how often we feel this way. For some, it's all the time. Perhaps this just comes with the reality of being human. 

The terrible thing about this is too often the Church, without intending to, makes that feeling worse. But what would it be like if churches embraced everyone who walked through their doors? Rather than speak about the horrid, sinful condition of the person what if we just loved them?

Todd Morrison explores this idea in a recent article at Relevant Magazine titled, "Hello, My Sin Is ..." His words and story brought tears to my eyes, because what led to his heart change was not judgment but love. May we see the day when this becomes the first and only impulse of the people of God. 

Todd writes:

Most likely, many of us would not have become followers of Jesus if an us-verses-them philosophy had met us at the church door. Yet if you look at the comment section of my previous article entitled “Can I Come to Your Church? I’m Gay,” it seems some Christians today still want to keep the lines clearly defined. The mantra “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is well-meaning, but it fails in one important aspect: It creates labels for certain sinners, when in reality, we are all guilty of falling short.

Chances are, if you go to church, there is a point in the service where you are asked to stand and introduce yourself to a total stranger. Sometimes they make it easier for us by giving us an icebreaker question to answer, like “Who’s the best father on television?” or “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?”

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