By Andrew Williams
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Good morning fellow disciples.
When we think about “loving the sinner,” it’s easy for our minds to jump to certain categories of sin – the egregious, the scandalous, the “unforgivable.” We may envision the hardened criminal, the unrepentant adulterer, the proud and self-righteous Pharisee.
But the truth is, we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Whether our sins are hidden or on display, we have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And it is precisely because of this universal condition that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
The Gospels are full of stories that challenge our preconceived notions about who is worthy of God’s love. Jesus dined with tax collectors, conversed with adulterous women, and offered forgiveness to those condemned by their peers. Time and again, he subverted the world’s standards of righteousness, showing that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
This radical, inclusive love is the very heartbeat of the gospel. It is what compelled God the Father to sacrifice his only Son, that whoever believes in him might be saved. And it is the model we are called to emulate as his disciples.
Of course, loving the sinner does not mean condoning or minimizing sin. As followers of Jesus, we are still called to live lives of holiness and to gently call others toward repentance. But our motivation must always be rooted in the transformative love of Christ, not in self-righteousness or condemnation.
When we approach the “sinner” with this posture – with empathy, humility, and an unwavering hope in the power of grace – we become living testaments to the life-changing message of the gospel. We demonstrate that there is no sin too great for God to forgive, no heart too hardened for him to soften.
This is the kind of love that has the power to change lives, heal communities, and usher in the kingdom of God. May it be the hallmark of our witness to a world that so desperately needs God’s love.
Prayer: Father God, help us to love sinners the way that you do. We will give of our best so that they will come to know and experience Your love through our words and actions. Amen.
