The phrase “love the sinner  and hate the sin” is not explicitly found in the Bible, but it is often used as a shorthand for a Christian perspective on how to approach people who engage in sinful behavior.

However, this phrase can be problematic because it can be misinterpreted or misapplied in ways that contradict the gospel in that it ca lead to a judgmental and self-righteous attitude — the focus on hating the sin can lead to a narrow-minded and legalistic approach that emphasizes condemnation rather than compassion, which in turn can create a sense of moral superiority and a lack of empathy towards those who struggle with sin.

This phrase can also minimize the reality of sin be perpetuating the idea of “hating the sin” giving the impression that sin is something external to the person, rather than an internal problem that affects every aspect of their being. 

The biggest problem I have with the phrase is that it can undermine the message of grace with the emphasis on “hating the sin” making it seem as if a person’s salvation is based on their ability to avoid sin rather than salvation being based on God’s grace, which could lead to a works-based mentality that undermines the central message of the gospel.

Christians are called to love others as Christ loved us, showing compassion, grace, and forgiveness to all people, including those who struggle with sin.

When Jesus said “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), he was speaking of loving all of our neighbors, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other characteristic. Jesus’ message was one of radical love and inclusion, and he reached out to people from all walks of life, including those who were marginalized or excluded by society.

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example and love our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of their differences. This means treating all people with respect, dignity, and kindness, and seeking to build relationships based on mutual understanding and compassion.

To call oneself a loving Christian and not love all is by definition hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is a deeper sin in the Bible that Jesus spoke out against. That one who “hates the sin, but loves the sinner” is filled with hypocrisy as it is not a loving act to call one’s life sin-filled just because the other person is queer. It involves deceiving others by pretending to be something we are not. It involves claiming to have certain beliefs or values but failing to live up to them in our actions and behaviors. This type of behavior is condemned throughout the Bible, particularly in the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus frequently referenced hypocrites in his teachings, particularly when criticizing the religious leaders of his time. He used the term “hypocrites” to refer to those who claimed to follow God’s law but failed to live up to it in their actions and behaviors.

In the Gospels, Jesus denounced the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes, who he accused of being more concerned with outward appearances than with true righteousness. He called them out for their pride, self-righteousness, and legalism, and emphasized the importance of genuine faith and a sincere heart.

For example, in Matthew 23:13-33, Jesus delivers a scathing rebuke of the Pharisees, calling them “hypocrites” seven times in quick succession. He accuses them of being “blind guides”, “fools”, and “whitewashed tombs”, and highlights their failure to love and care for the people they were supposed to serve.

Jesus demonstrated a radical love and acceptance towards people who were considered outcasts by society, including those who were marginalized due to their gender, ethnicity, or social status. He reached out to them with compassion and kindness, and offered them a place in his community of followers.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of authenticity and sincerity, urging his followers to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). He encouraged them to avoid the kind of hypocrisy that puts on a show for others, and instead to cultivate a genuine faith that is rooted in love and service to others.

Considering a member of the LGBTQ+ community unfit for the church or an outcast in society solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity as God made them should always be considered hypocritical in light of Jesus’ teachings on love, compassion, and inclusion.

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example and show love and compassion towards all people, regardless of their differences. This means welcoming members of the LGBTQ+ community into the church with open arms, rather than rejecting or excluding them based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

To do otherwise would be to betray the central message of the gospel, which emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves and treating all people with respect and dignity. It would also be hypocritical to claim to follow Jesus while at the same time rejecting or stigmatizing certain members of the community.

Rather than “hating the sin and loving the sinner”, Christians should strive to create a church community that is inclusive, loving, and welcoming to all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This means offering support, care, and acceptance to members of the LGBTQ+ community, and treating them with the same kindness and respect that we would want for ourselves.

Every person is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with love and respect and that includes LGBTQ+ Christians. As such, we should strive to love and support all of our neighbors, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other factor that may make them different from us.