If you have ever read Romans, you might have come across a mind-blowing concept about the Character of God:
He hates Sin.
…and as you read chapter number the first, you may be forgiven for being convinced that He has given up on sinners as well…
“This is why God lifted His restraining hand and let them have full expression of their sinful and shameful desires.“
(Romans 1:24 TPT)
But that’s not quite right… In verse 18, it says that God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven, “against all the godlessness and wickedness of people” Why? Because the sin hides the truth.
It is easy to miss. (Maybe because the sin, hid the truth?) God’s wrath is against the sin, and the sinful nature, but His love for the person, remains.
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;”(Isaiah 42:3 NIV)
God hates the sin… but still loves the sinner. THIS is God’s Character!
Somehow, we get that mixed up. I think it is because we were made in God’s image, we see ourselves as somehow “better”? I am a better sinner than that guy or that lady?
At least my sin isn’t as bad as your sin? So I am welcome at the table, but you are not?
How strange is that?
We judge the person on the sin. We assign the sin to the person. You are not a person who sinned, you are the sin! We label them and tag them: She is a prostitute, He is a druggie. They are alcoholics. It is just so wrong!
Compare that with the Son of God. Although Jesus Never Condones a Sin, Jesus sought out the sinners.
“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”(Matthew 9:11 NIV)
Rahab was a prostitute.
God hates sexual sin… yes, but…
God still loves Rahab.
…A smouldering wick He will not snuff out.
How about this one…
David made a widow,
(because of his sexual sin.)
God hates sin,
(and sends Nathan to speak to David because David was tuning out God.)
… yes, but…
GOD still loves David,
(and from David and Bathsheba comes Solomon and the line to Jesus.)
…A bruised reed he will not break.
The lady at the well, Zacchaeus, the list is long… you know… in the end, I could find only one perfect and sinless person in the Bible! 😉
Often, we see the sin and judge the person.
But Jesus sees the person, and helps them discard the sin.
… He motivates them and makes them believe it is possible to escape sin’s hold on them.
… He invites them to try…
…and then He walks with them through the process!
This is the character of Christ!
“On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
(Matthew 9:12–13 NIV)
This is the Character of God, woven into the stories of the Bible:
God is Love… yes, but more so – God. Loves. You.
