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.
We are to have compassion on sinners for whom Christ died, and we are
also to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world"—part of what
constitutes "pure and faultless" religion (James 1:27). But we also
realize that we are imperfect human beings and that the difference
between us and God in regard to loving and hating is vast. Even as
Christians, we cannot love perfectly, nor can we hate perfectly (i.e.,
without malice). But God can do both of these perfectly, because He is
God. God can hate without any sinful intent. Therefore, He can hate
the sin and the sinner in a perfectly holy way and still lovingly
forgive the sinner at the moment of repentance and faith (Malachi 1:3;
Revelation 2:6; 2 Peter 3:9).
The Bible clearly teaches that God is love. First John 4:8–9 says,
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is
how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into
the world that we might live through him." Mysterious but true is the
fact that God can perfectly love and hate a person at the same time.
This means He can love him as someone He created and can redeem, as
well as hate him for his unbelief and sinful lifestyle. We, as
imperfect human beings, cannot do this; thus, we must remind ourselves
to "love the sinner; hate the sin."
How exactly does that work? We hate sin by recognizing it for what it
is, refusing to take part in it, and condemning it as contrary to
God's nature. Sin is to be hated, not excused or taken lightly. We
love sinners by showing them respect (1 Peter 2:17), praying for them
(1 Timothy 2:1), and witnessing to them of Christ. It is a true act of
love to treat someone with respect and kindness even though you do not
approve of his or her lifestyle or sinful choices.
It is not loving to allow a person to remain stuck in sin. It is not
hateful to tell a person he or she is in sin. In fact, the exact
opposites are true. Sin leads to death (James 1:15), and we love the
sinner by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We hate the sin
by refusing to condone, ignore, or excuse it.
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