I was reading a “Christian†wallet card this weekend and something on this card caught my attention. It said, “God hates sin and the sinner.†I couldn’t believe this was written on a “Christian†wallet card and I got angry at this! I firmly believe that God certainly hates sin. Of this I have no doubt at all but hate the sinner? If this is true then God hates all of us and every other human that has ever or will ever walk the earth with the exception of Jesus Christ for we are all sinners and fall short. I had to reread these verses to reaffirm my own belief.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)
But now I’m not so sure this is all that farfetched because the word “sanctification†came to mind. When does one become sanctified and does sanctification release us from our sin guilt and therefore we are no longer seen as sinners by God? If so, what about the fact that even though we are found guiltless we are still weak and we continue to make mistakes and commit sin? Since we continue to commit sin are we not therefore sinners? By who’s definition, ours or God’s?
Don’t be surprised if I don’t respond too much to this thread. I will probably just sit back and contemplate what you all have to say.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)
But now I’m not so sure this is all that farfetched because the word “sanctification†came to mind. When does one become sanctified and does sanctification release us from our sin guilt and therefore we are no longer seen as sinners by God? If so, what about the fact that even though we are found guiltless we are still weak and we continue to make mistakes and commit sin? Since we continue to commit sin are we not therefore sinners? By who’s definition, ours or God’s?
Don’t be surprised if I don’t respond too much to this thread. I will probably just sit back and contemplate what you all have to say.