"a God Who Hates Sin But Loves The Sinner" Series

"A God Who Hates Sin but Loves the Sinner"

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1. Introduction: The Heart of the Gospel

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There is one truth that summarizes the entire Gospel:

God hates sin — but He passionately loves the sinner.

If we misunderstand this, we misunderstand Christianity.

If we grasp this, we understand salvation.

Many people live in confusion:

• Some think: “God is angry with me.”

• Others think: “God doesn’t care how I live.”

Both are wrong.

God hates sin because sin destroys us.

But He loves the sinner because we are His children.

As Scripture says:

“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.”

— John 3:16

Not because we were perfect —

But because we were lost.

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2. What Is Sin?

Before we go further, we must understand what sin really is.

Sin is not merely breaking a rule.

Sin is:

• Separation from God

• Rebellion against love

• Choosing darkness over light

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

— Romans 3:23

Sin wounds the soul.

Sin disfigures the image of God in us.

Sin destroys peace, families, and societies.

That is why God hates sin.

Not because He is strict —

But because He loves.

Just as a doctor hates cancer,

God hates sin.

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3. God’s Hatred of Sin in Scripture

(A) The Fall of Adam and Eve

In Genesis 3, we see the tragedy of sin.

Humanity chooses disobedience.

Sin brings:

• Shame

• Fear

• Hiding from God

But what does God do?

He searches for them.

“Adam, where are you?”

— Genesis 3:9

God does not destroy them immediately.

He promises redemption.

Even in punishment, there is mercy.

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(B) The Flood (Genesis 6–9)

The Bible says:

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great.”

— Genesis 6:5

God hates corruption.

But He saves Noah.

Judgment and mercy go together.

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4. Jesus: The Perfect Revelation of God’s Heart

If we want to understand how God treats sinners, we must look at Jesus.

“Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.”

— John 14:9

Jesus reveals a God who hates sin —

but loves the sinner.

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(A) The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1–11)

The scribes bring a sinful woman.

They are ready to stone her.

Jesus says:

“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

One by one, they leave.

Then Jesus says:

“Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.”

Notice:

• He does not approve of her sin.

• He does not condemn her person.

He separates sin from sinner.

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(B) Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10)

Zacchaeus was corrupt.

Society hated him.

But Jesus says:

“Today I must stay at your house.”

Love leads to conversion.

Zacchaeus repents and restores what he stole.

God’s love transforms sinners.

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(C) The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32)

This is the most powerful image of God’s heart.

The son sins terribly.

But the father:

• Runs to him

• Embraces him

• Restores him

The father hates the rebellion —

but loves the son.

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5. Voices of the Saints and Theologians

St. Augustine

“God hates your sin, but He loves you.”

Augustine himself was once lost in sin.

But God’s grace transformed him.

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St. Catherine of Siena

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

God does not reject us —

He calls us higher.

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St. John Paul II

“The limit imposed upon evil is ultimately divine mercy.”

Sin does not have the final word.

Mercy does.

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St. Thomas Aquinas

He teaches that God’s justice and mercy are not opposites.

Justice protects goodness.

Mercy restores the sinner.

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6. Illustration: The Loving Surgeon

Imagine a surgeon removing a tumour.

He cuts — not because he hates the patient —

But because he loves.

Pain is necessary to save a life.

God cuts sin away from us.

Confession may hurt our pride —

But it heals our soul.

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7. A Powerful Story

A little boy broke his mother’s favourite vase.

He hid in fear.

When the mother found out, she did not reject him.

She corrected him — but embraced him.

He said later:

“I was more afraid of losing her love than of punishment.”

That is how sin works.

We hide from God.

But God is waiting to embrace us.

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8. Practical Applications for Today

1. Do Not Justify Sin

Modern society says:

• “Everything is fine.”

• “Follow your feelings.”

But sin destroys:

• Marriages

• Purity

• Integrity

• Peace

God hates sin because He wants us free.

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2. Do Not Despair

Some say:

“I have sinned too much.”

No.

Peter denied Jesus.

Paul persecuted Christians.

Augustine lived in immorality.