Why "Hate the Sin, But Love the Sinner Is Wrong"

Sermon Series and Biblical Interpretation

I’m not one to “do” sermon series. It’s not really been my style. Sure, I had to plan some back in undergrad at Oakwood, noteably for Dr. Finbar Benjamin for my, what is now, RT 221 Biblical Hermaneutics Class. It was really a portion of a larger project that I had to complete as the culmination of my time in that class. In that class, we were to take a scripture of our choosing, and do what is called “exegesis” upon it. For those who are not theology majors, this means taking a text, within the context of its Biblical audience and meaning, and deriving the Biblical principles therein, and then showing how they may be applied in today’s world. The entire process is called “hermaneutics,” and is defined as, and I’m quoting Dr. Benjamin here (and any of his students who took this class from him can quote verbatim), “…the art and science of Biblical interpretation.”

For any of you who know me well, nothing gets me more upset and/or downright angry than someone quoting Sacred Scripture out of context. If you want to push my buttons, that is a sure fire way to do so. It’s often referred to as “cherry picking” verses; that is, using a verse from Scripture, without reference to its context within the body in which it was written or to whom it was addressed.

Example: You walk by a room, where you only see me, and I’m obviously talking to a group, but you cannot see the group, and you hear me say to them “Wow, we have a bunch of clowns in here!” If you did not see to whom I am speaking, nor why I am saying that, could you, in good conscience, chastise me for that statement? Well, what if you walked into the room and saw that I was, in point of fact, addressing a group of people all dressed as clowns? Hmm...makes more sense when you take the context and audience into consideration. The absolute same goes for sacred Scripture.

Awhile back, and I’m sorry Wayne if this embarrasses you, but our own Wayne Thompson did a wonderful sermon that took on “tricky” Scripture verses. That was what we who dabble and or are immersed in the discipline of theology call “Exegetical Gold.” I was absolutely floored. What do I mean by that? I mean that the entire sermon…the whole of it, from start to finish, was some of the best work of Biblical interpretation turned sermon that I have ever heard. Later, Thom Lopez did one on God’s Grace, and it was equally amazing in its own right. This is not a slight against any pastor that I’ve heard preach, to include our own for sure, and I’ve heard a lot, from Dr. Mervyn Warren, the late Charles Bradford, the late Daniel R. Jackson, and many, many more.

This whole sermon is dedicated to expounding upon the very points Wayne and Thom made.

Awhile back, over at Grace, we have a gentleman by the name of Wayne Thompson that did a wonderful sermon that took on “tricky” Scripture verses. It was, for those of us who dabble in and/or are immersed in the discipline of theology call “Exegetical Gold.” I was floored. What do I mean by that? Well, Elder Thompson expounded on verses that the Bible has that seem to contradict what the Bible as a whole has to say. I was floored. The entire sermon...the whole of it, from beginning to end, was some of the best work of Biblical interpretation turned sermon that I’ve ever heard. Later, another elder, Thom Lopez, did an equally good one on God’s Grace, defining the difference between trying to stand on our own merits or to rely on God’s Grace for salvation, and it was equally amazing in its own right. This is not a slight against any pastor that I’ve ever heard preached, to include Pastor Bailey, and I’ve heard a lot, from Dr. Mervyn Warren, to the late Charles Bradford, to the late Daniel R. Jackson, and many many more.

I say that to say this: sermons, built upon a solid interpretation of Scripture, are few and far between, to be frank, in today’s day and age. Too many people like to quote a line of Scripture and build off of it regardless of its meaning within the context to which it was written, usually with some unBiblical saying to accompany it. Well, I’ve heard another saying recently that ironically holds true that has been true since the time of Jesus. But we’ll get to that in a second.

An Addendum

Recently, I saw a man named Chris Kratzer say aloud his 2-year old post from December 5, 2022. I won't read it aloud here, but suffice it to say, you really should go check it out. Why? Because he makes so extremely good points. But one of the main points is how “Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner,” is NOT biblical, and how it’s a fallacy within mainstream Christianity. And yes, that goes for Adventists, too. This sermon is not for those of you to whom he addressed his statements per se. Think of this as more of an...addendum to his statements. I fully expect to get heat, so to speak, because of this sermon. I fully expect to hear complaints, either first hand (less likely) or second hand (more likely) because of this sermon. I fully expect some to reject and distance themselves from me as a result of this sermon. I fully expect to get hate for me because of this sermon. I fully expect to even possibly lose friends as a result of this sermon. I fully expect that some of you may get angry or even condemn me for this sermon. To that last statement, I say "Well, wouldn't be the first time and likely not the last time." If that sounds dismissive, it isn't meant to be; it's a pure statement of fact. If you find yourself, during the course of this sermon, feeling defensive, angry, or "called out," I ask you to ask yourself the question "Why?" But I digress. With that in mind, and with your permission, I'll continue. Mr. Kratzer, who maintained a blog up until 2023, said some pretty powerful things. Among them were his reasons for why he no longer attends church, his confusion at mainstream Christianity, and puts a mirror in front of them, showing them how the world sees them. He condemns the pure hate and vitriol coming from people who also love to ignore "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

The statement he uses to illustrate this is “There is no hate like Christian ‘love.’” Wow, right? I read some of the, now, 2 year old comments to this post and was both amazed and appalled. And, because, as many of you know, I refuse to be silent on matters that have an effect on people's faith, because I refuse to allow people to weaponize Scripture, and because I, too, am frustrated and angry with how people have twisted the tenets of my faith to a point unrecognizable in the face of what Scripture actually teaches. This led me writing this, because I was recently told, as justification for exclusion and condemnation of someone who identified as LGBTQ, from a secular activity mind you, with the words " Hate the sin, Love the Sinner." I looked at that person with a look that must have led to believe that I was looking at someone with three heads, rainbow hair, and walrus tusks. This led me to three conclusions: 1) Our condemnation of specifically the sins of others is a condemnation of the person 2) that the condemnation of another for their perceived sins is hypocritical to the highest degree, especially when it comes to non-believers, and 3) that Jesus would agree because he taught exactly that.

Condemnation of a Person’s Sins is Condemnation of the Person

Firstly, condemnation of a specific person or group of people's sins is a condemnation of the person, no matter how you dress it up, put lipstick on it, and throw a Bible verse with it. The last I checked, the Letter to the Romans says, Romans 3:10-18

Romans 3:10–18 NRSVue

as it is written: “There is no one who is righteous, not even one; there is no one who has understanding; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness; there is not even one.” “Their throats are opened graves; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of vipers is under their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery are in their paths, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

What makes your sins so much "better" than that of the very ones you condemn? Let me answer that for you: they don't and they aren't. Yeah, Jesus said "Go and sin no more" to the woman caught in adultery, as many in the Christian community love to spout. Let me tell you something: He was allowed to say that and judge her. He is God. Oh, and notice, if you dare, that she alone was brought before Jesus. Last I checked, there had to be at least two people involved in adultery. I didn’t see a man being brought or condemned as was prescribed in the Old Testament. Hmm...Very interesting indeed. Mainly it is mainstream Christianity who love spouting "Hate the sin, love the Sinner," forget that the love Jesus espoused, the love Jesus told us to have was αγαπη, which is indeed love, but the kind of love that is defined as that which is unconditional.

1 Corinthians 13 defines love, αγαπη love. And that is exactly what people who preach that nonsense lacks. Unconditional love.

Did Jesus ever say anything like “Love one another as I have loved you, oh, except for people who sin like this...” No. No He did not, and I challenge each and every one of you to find me ONE verse that does. Don’t take my word for it. Go ahead. Try and find it. I believe you’ll find that He never said anything remotely close to anything like that.

Do you know what His commandment was? I’ll give you a hint, I said it a few moments ago: “Love one another as I have loved you.” How much did Jesus love us? He in the most literal way possible, died for each and every one of us because of His great love for each person, regardless of their sins. This means that he died for the Pharisee, the Sadducee, the Scribe, the tax collectors, the druggies, the alcoholics, the fornicators, the liars, the cheats, the adulterers, the murderers, the glutton, everyone. He died for them all. He died for each of you. Yeah, remember before when I quoted Romans with “There is no one who is righteous, not even one?” That’s you all too. Everyone here who says “Oh, I follow God’s commandments; I worship on the Sabbath, pray regularly, tithe faithfully, yada yada yada.” Guess what? SO DID THE PHARISEES!! And what was Jesus’ reaction to all of that utter nonsense? Turn with me to Luke 18:9–14

“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.””

Did you catch that? Was the “righteous” person justified? NO! It was the “sinner.” Not the guy who thought himself better than someone else who’s perceived sins were worse than their own.

Based on my First Point, Condemnation of Someone is Hypocricy of the Highest Order

The only people Jesus condemned were not the "sinners and tax collectors" He hung out with regularly, but with the people who condemned them. You know, the same people that had Him crucified.

I’ve preached on them before, but I would be doing a disservice to you all if I did not address this topic using the three parables of Luke 15.

Turn with me in your Bibles to Luke 15, and we’ll be focusing on verses 1, and then 8-32.

Sidebar: Do you know why I’m skipping verses 2-7? Because everyone loves talking about those lost sheep. Oh, yeah, do we EVER. The people that those who are in the church love to say “Oh, they left because of ‘hurt feelings.’” Utter garbage and supremely dismissive to the worst degree. But that’s a sermon for another day. In any case, let’s look at how the chapter begins, and get some context to whom Jesus is talking to:

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Luke 15

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.* 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”*

Okay, so the audience here are Pharisees and a bunch of what can only be described as “Regular Folks.” Why do I say this? Because the descriptor that Luke uses, “tax collectors and sinners” is not a pejorative on the people talking to Jesus, but the term Pharisees used to describe anyone who wasn’t like them.

What follows? Well, skipping the group we all know and love, the “lost sheep,” we see another parable. A very interesting parable.

Let’s start with Luke 15:8–10

Luke 15:8–10 NRSVue

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Now, there are a large number of scholars that might say that this is just a rephrasing or retelling of the first parable. Hogwash. Let me ask you a question that may answer why I said just that.

If a sheep/lamb/dumb animal is bleating and crying out, what would you say is that animal’s awareness of the state of their “lost-ness?” Pretty obvious, right? An animal that wandered from the heard has the understanding, at minimum, that they are lost and are crying out trying to get back to the flock. Okay, does that make sense? Not a rhetorical question, I need to know that you understand this before I can move on. Anyone confused by this? If so, come see me after church and we’ll discuss. Okay, then let’s move on.

So, Jesus tells a second parable, unique to the Gospel of Luke, the Parable of the Lost Coin. In it, a woman has lost a single coin, in this case, a silver coin, which was the equivalent of an entire day’s wages. I don’t need to tell you that, to a poor person (which this woman was implied to be), this is a lot of money, but normally worth 18-19 cents. The woman searches throughout the whole house (the original Greek implies actions akin to “tearing the whole place apart” sort of searching) until she finds the coin, and then celebrates with her friends. Again, Jesus chooses an atypical hero (or rather heroine) for the story: a woman, who were considered second-class citizens in much of 1st Century Palestine. I digress. Many commentaries consider these two parables “double” parables, meaning that they tell the same story twice. I don’t buy into that, mostly because of the third parable, commonly referred to as The Prodigal Son, but I believe to be more aptly named “The Lost Sons.”

You see, the story, although popularly centered around the youngest son, is actually about both sons.

Let’s look at Luke 15:25–32

Luke 15:25–32 NRSVue

“Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

Again, it’s easy to see how the younger son, who demands his share of his inheritance from his dad, is the lost sheep. In fact, putting the “lost sheep” into this context is doubly fascinating for a couple of reasons. Firstly, according to the Old Testament and Jewish laws and traditions, only the oldest son was due any sort of inheritance. If, and only if, the father wished to give an inheritance to any of his other children, the oldest would actually be due a double portion. So, contrary to popular belief, the younger son did not receive half of the estate, but one-third. Secondly, the younger son demanding that his father give him his share of the inheritance was an insult in the highest order. Let me break it down by asking a question: under what circumstances does one receive an inheritance? Usually, it’s when someone dies! Therefore, the younger son is saying, in essence, “I wish you were dead.”

Remember when I said the story would be better called “The Lost Sons?” Well, let’s look at the second son. His brother has come home and the father throws a huge party for the return of the younger son. Like, a HUGE party. He pulls out all of the stops. Kills the fattened calf, puts a robe on the boy, a signet ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. These are signs, more than a return to being the father’s son and being restored to the household. The robe was one that was usually for a guest of honor, and very likely the father’s own (and the best one at that), the ring a signet ring (a symbol of authority), and sandals, which were only worn by a free person (contrary to the “hired servant” that the son was actually asking to become). Keep in mind that this is all for the son that went and totally blew through a third of the estate. The son that told his father he wished the father was dead has now been restored to the household as a son. Also consider this: the servants had to have actually run out with the father, else they wouldn’t have been there to hear the father’s commands to get the robe, ring, sandals, and to kill the fattened calf.

So now we have this other son, the older son. This son comes in from the fields, having worked hard, and seeing some sort of major party going on. He starts asking questions about what’s going on, and upon finding out that the party is for his brother, wondering if his brother came back rich or poor. Of course, finding out that his brother came back worse than broke, he becomes angry and is fuming over the party his father has thrown for the younger son.

The father goes out to the son, in much the same way as he ran to the younger son having seen him coming from a great distance, but for a different reason: to try and change the mind of the older son. The older son contemptuously refers to his brother as “this son of yours” and refuses to come into the house to join the party. Even more so, he fumes over the fact that he has received nothing for his “slaving” for his father all the years he’s been there, and had remained “faithful.”

This son is lost and doesn’t even know it. Much like the coin in the second parable, the second son is lost. At least the sheep in the first parable can tell that it’s been separated from the herd. Not so with the coin. But like the shepherd in the first parable, and the woman in the second, the lost one is searched for vigorously, until it is found.

Thus, the second parable is not a “double parable,” but a reflection on the third parable’s older brother. The one still in the house. The one that doesn’t realize his own need to be found. Let me repeat that: someone lost in the house and has no understanding nor having any understanding of the concept that they are lost. What do we refer to church as sometimes? The “House of God.” Get where I am going with this?

And that, brothers and sisters, is where too many so-called “Christians” find themselves today. Lost in the house and not even knowing it.

Now that we have that understanding, let me end this point with some other words of Jesus about this exact thing: pointing out others’ flaws and “sins” and this is HIGHLY interesting, as this circles back in beginning with my first point. Let’s look at Matthew 7:1-5

Matthew 7:1–5 NRSVue

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For the judgment you give will be the judgment you get, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

I do believe, especially with that last verse, verse 5, that I’ve made my point here. It can be summed up easily...are you ready? Here it goes: mind your own business. It is NOT your job to convict someone of their “sins” because it’s the Holy Spirit’s job. Heck, if it’s not someone who you know for certain is a fellow believer, isn’t even your job to tell them that they are wrong or are “living in sin!” That’s what Matthew 18 is for (and if you need a refresher on that, I’d be glad to go over it with you after the worship service), and even then, THAT ends with, in verse 17: “17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

Let’s pause there, for a moment, and if you’re willing, indulge me for a moment.

Can anyone here define for me, what, exactly, is “church discipline” and what it’s used for? Anyone, please, speak up. I really need to hear your answers.

PAUSE FOR RESPONSES

First and foremost: and I expect to get a lot of flack for this one, whoo boy...Who’s the final authority in our Church? Sister White or Scripture? Scripture, of course. Sister White said so herself. Repeatedly. So, keeping that in mind, let me continue:

Okay, okay. Let me give you the actual, textbook definition, according to our own church manual, Chapter 8, and beginning with Page 62: “The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy set forth in clear, unmistakable language the solemn responsibility that rests upon the people of God to maintain their purity, integrity, and spiritual fervor. If members grow indifferent or drift away, the church must seek to reclaim them for the Lord.” These words did not come from Sacred Scripture, nor did they come from the mouth or hand of Sister White. Why? Because it’s malarkey espoused by man to justify what they say later on. Oh, and there’s Sister White quote after Sister White quote. But only once is Scripture quoted, Matthew 18:15-18

Matthew 18:15–18 NRSVue

“If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

That is for between believers ONLY. And the prescription for Matthew 18 has zero to do with anything regarding their beliefs or behaviors, except that there is some offense between two members of the Body of Christ.

Example: and Wayne, I’m going to pick on you again, but only because you’re my friend and I know you have a sense of humor: Say it’s coming up on Sabbath and I’ve been on the praise team for some time. But suddenly, Wayne starts excluding me from the group chat for coordination between the praise team. I get upset and offended. How am I to deal with this? I go to Wayne. He dismisses me with a wave. I go get, say, Thom. I tell Thom what’s going on and ask him to come with me to talk to Wayne. He dismisses us both, refusing to see or even acknowledge he did anything wrong. Well, then I take it to the Spiritual Focus Team and have Wayne and I both tell our sides of the issue, and if Wayne still refuses, then what are we to do? Well, according to the Church Manual, “f he will not heed the voice of the church, if he refuses all the efforts made to reclaim him, upon the church rests the responsibility of separating him from fellowship. His name should then be stricken from the books.” Sister White’s words exactly, used in this context, page 63 of Chapter 8. In a few words, we toss them out.

Remember when I asked for a pause for indulgence? Okay, unpause:

How did Jesus treat Gentiles and tax collectors? He loved them. He. Loved. Them. Period, dot, end of story. He didn’t say to toss them out. He didn’t say that they needed to get their act together before being part of the body again. I said it once, and I’ll say it again: if you see someone “living in sin” then what? Mind ya’ own. You, too, are living in sin. Just because others may not be able to see it doesn’t make your sins any less worthy of the label.

Now, that is not to say that anyone should be allowed to stand up front and teach anything they feel like stating, especially stating things NOT in Scripture as fact. This should not be allowed, and our pulpit should be guarded, at all times, from anyone wishing to do just that. We here at Grace Fellowship, put safeguards in place to prevent exactly that sort of thing. And it should be enforced regardless of whoever it is. I don’t care the person’s title or how many letters come after their name. If someone is going to be preaching or teaching, they should absolutely be vetted. And if someone does get into our pulpit or music stand (what we generally use to teach off of for Sabbath School), and they start spouting some unBiblical nonsense, I propose one of two things happen: either 1) someone, an elder at minimum, decide enough is enough, stand up, go to the pulpit, thank them for their willingness to speak, and conclude the service with song service, or 2) Immediately after the sermon, someone, again, preferably an elder, should get up and correct that person before the final song service, and speak truth to power as to what Scripture actually teaches. Is this “polite?” No. But the flock must be protected from just that sort of thing. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 says:

2 Timothy 3:1–9 NRSVue

You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate immature women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always studying yet never able to recognize truth. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. But they will not make much progress because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.

I say all that, to say this: Matthew 18 is meant to be a way to mediate between believers who have some offense between them. It is not the basis of “church discipline.” Church discipline is correcting someone in love. And people like Paul talks about to Timothy? Those kinds of people don’t generally get into our pulpit to begin with. And those that might be in the congregation? Well, if they are in our congregation, that is what Matthew 18 is for.

But our response shouldn’t be to “discipline” them. Reason with them and correct them, sure, but not discipline in the sense that it’s used in the Church Manual. Let me repeat that last line of 2 Timothy: “But they will no make much progress because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.”

Seriously, who here can honestly say, and in good conscience, that you’ve NEVER done ANYTHING to remotely resemble ANYTHING that “violates” church teachings? Anyone? Nobody here has failed to tithe at least 10% of your income? Broken the Sabbath? Lied? Cheated? Keep in mind, I’m using Jesus’ bar here. Remember when he said adultry is even looking at someone with lustful thoughts? Remember when he said to say something in anger against someone is akin to murder? Yeah, go ahead. tell me that ANYONE can say that they didn’t meet that standard. Because if so, then you should be brought before the church for Church “discipline.”

Oh, but your sins aren’t obvious? You aren’t being blatant about it? Oh, so does that make it any better?!

In the words of Jesus (Matthew 23:27):

Matthew 23:27 NRSVue

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of uncleanness.

As I said: condemnation of another person is hypocrisy of the highest order.

I Believe Jesus Would Agree With Me Because He Taught Exactly What I’m Trying to Preach and Teach to All of You

Jesus was very clear on the first two points, and here's how and what led me to the conclusion that He would agree. Do you want to know the people that Jesus *actually* condemned? The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the scribes. The same people who condemned others for their "sins." They, brothers and sisters, are a lost coin. Remember and reread Luke 15: There were two sons. Oh, again, we LOVE to talk about that younger son. We love to talk about the lost sheep. But they aren't that. They are a lost coin. They are lost in the House of God and don't even know it. Remember the older son? The one who was "faithful?" That's is them. It is now they that I wish to address:

You might say or be thinking something like "You don't know me! Are you God that you know my heart?" I would gladly answer that: No and Yes, and while I’m not God, I usually have a good idea about what’s in your heart. Let me explain: I likely do not know you personally, no. But I can tell what kind of person you are. I am absolutely not God, but I know you by your fruit. Anyone who justifies their hate/disgust/disdain/contempt or who condemns others for their perceived sins, I say, again, as Jesus did in Matthew 7:5

Matthew 7:5 NRSVue

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

And again, you may say "See? There! You are doing exactly the thing you are accusing me of!" I answer that with, no. No I am not. I am trying to follow Matthew 18, but you know what? I’m going to tell you and then let it go and let God do His thing with you with the Holy Spirit. Your salvation isn’t my job, nor is it my job to convict you of your wrongs. My job is to ask you if you think that it’s a wise action and to advise not to dictate. I would, if I were a betting man, wager that you reacted this way because you became defensive as a result of you feeling "called out." Let me tell you something: you and others that espouse the very things you claim to believe regarding the sins of others ARE being called out. I hate to say this, but some of the most hateful people I have seen/heard are so-called "church folk." Nobody espouses more vitriol for others than some of them. Never once did Jesus EVER say the word "hate" except in the context that one should love and follow Him at the expense of anything and everything else. Jesus said "They will know you are my disciples by your love." You that espouse the, I'm sure sincerely held, beliefs that answered with such defensiveness are not known by your love, but by your hate.

“There is no hate like Christian love.”

Oh, and before you start spouting any Old Testament reference(s), I would like to point out two things: John 14:8-11

John 14:8–11 NRSVue

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves.

...as well as: Luke 24:27

Luke 24:27 NRSVue

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

So this means that if Jesus did not espouse or teach hate, then the Father didn't either. The only people Jesus ever condemned were not the "tax collectors and sinners" that he literally surrounded himself with on a daily basis, but the people that constantly criticized Him and the kind of people who actually followed Him: the people eating and picking grain on the Sabbath. The tax collectors. The zealots. The murderers (look up the etymology of Judas Iscariot's name; despite his betrayal of Christ, Judas Iscariot was still called by Him), the crude, the adulterer, and the list goes on and on. Again, I am addressing the lost coins among you: I tell you friend and misguided brother or sister: "Remember, then, from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." Rev 2:5 I say to you as John the Baptist said on the Jordan River In Matthew 3:2

Matthew 3:2 NRSVue

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Let us pray:

God in Heaven, have mercy on me, a poor sinner. Let us look upon each other in love and with the grace, mercy, and forgiveness you show us on a daily basis. Lord, I am not exempt from this Word, I chief among sinners. I pray that we all can have the courage to step up and start following you rather than worrying about how or even whether or not others are following you. You, Father God, alone are sovereign. You alone are Lord. It is to You we pray and to You we trust. Be with us know and seek us out, that we who are lost may be found again.

Numbers 6:24–26 NRSVue

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Amen, and God bless.