Hating Sin, Loving People: Seeing Others the Way God Does

“And such were some of you…” 1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)

Let’s be honest: it’s easy to love people who agree with us, vote like us, or live the way we think they should. But what about everyone else?

The Bible calls sin what it is. Deadly. Damaging. Deceptive. And yet, over and over again, it also calls us to love, not just our friends, but our enemies. Our neighbors. The outcasts. The ones we might quietly judge, fear, or avoid.

So how do we live in that tension? How do we hate sin without hating people?

People Aren’t the Enemy - Sin Is

We get it backwards all the time. We turn “us vs. them” into a spiritual posture. But the Bible never pits people against people - it pits God against sin, and His people against darkness.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers… the spiritual forces of evil…” Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

That person who hurt you? They’re not the real enemy. That coworker who mocks your faith? Not the real enemy. That family member whose choices break your heart? Still not the enemy.

The enemy is Satan. The enemy is sin. The enemy is death.

People are not the opposition. They’re the mission.

“And Such Were Some of You…”

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 lists some serious sins - ones that break hearts, families, and souls:

“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers… nor thieves, nor the greedy… will inherit the kingdom of God.”

It’s easy to stop there. But Paul doesn’t.

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified…” (v.11)

He’s talking to Christians. People who had been liars, adulterers, addicts, greedy, impure, selfish. But something happened: Jesus changed them.

Never forget: the church is full of former sinners who still struggle, and every sinner we meet is one encounter with Jesus away from transformation.

Saul Didn’t Stay Saul

Before he was the apostle Paul, he was Saul - a violent and arrogant religious extremist who persecuted the church (Acts 8:1–3).

If we saw Saul today, we’d label him “too far gone.” But Jesus didn’t.

He saw who Saul could become: a preacher, a church planter, a brother in Christ.

If God can see that potential in Saul, we can believe it for others too.

Loving People Without Compromising Truth

Jesus never excused sin. He called it out and told people to leave it behind.

But He also moved toward sinners - touching lepers, dining with tax collectors, weeping with the broken, and restoring the ashamed.

He didn’t ignore sin - but He didn’t lead with shame.

“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV)

That’s the model: Love first. Speak truth. Invite change.

Not to affirm sin, but to show there’s a Savior.

What Love Does (When Facing Sin)

So how do we live this out practically? Here’s what love can look like:

• Love listens - not to approve, but to understand.

• Love prays - because change is God’s work, not yours.

• Love speaks truth - gently, clearly, patiently.

• Love invites - into community, not just correction.

• Love endures - even when nothing changes… yet.

Love doesn’t mean agreement. Truth doesn’t mean cruelty.

Christlike love holds both together.

So Let Me Ask You (as I ask myself):

• Are you writing anyone off because of their past?

• Are you treating someone like the enemy instead of someone in need of grace?

• Are you letting their sin block your compassion for their soul?

• Are you forgetting who you were before Jesus changed you?

• Are you more focused on being “right” than being redemptive?

See Sin Clearly. See People Redemptively.

Hating sin doesn’t mean hating people. In fact, it should mean the opposite.

If we truly hate what sin does, we’ll love people enough to move toward them, not away.

We’ll speak truth, but with tenderness. We’ll stand firm, but stay humble. We’ll grieve sin, but hope for redemption.

Because no one is too far gone. Not Saul. Not the thief on the cross. Not your neighbor. Not even you.

Until the journey is complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim

P.S. If there’s someone you’ve been viewing as the enemy, take a moment today to pray for them by name. Ask God to soften your heart, give you an opportunity, and help you love like Jesus - boldly, patiently, and redemptively. And if someone has shown you that kind of love before, thank God for them.