(no subject)

[pat]

I have heard several people on my friends list say something to the effect of "It is impossible for someone to 'hate the sin but love the sinner'."



I saw my friend C at church yesterday. I don't get to see him very often -- he is no longer living in our area.

There are decisions I have made about my personal life that C finds appalling. He has never said so directly -- the closest he has come is to say he was "very concerned" -- but I think I know him well enough to have a pretty good idea of what he thinks of the matter. If pressed, I'm pretty sure he would say, yes, he thinks that I am being sinful.

But when he sees me, he says "I really want to know how your life is going" and means it. He does not spend his time telling me that I am going to hell, or that the struggles I am experiencing in my emotional and spiritual life are a result of these decisions.

I think this is a clear case of "hate the sin, love the sinner."

The problem is that most people who actually say the above phrase, don't really mean it.

Comments

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you should go back to church next week -- C gave the sermon on Sunday and I think is slated to do so next Sunday.

*hugs* to you too : >

[frankenboob.livejournal.com]

So... looking at *B* right now, I realized that technically we're all "sinners" (as far as the church is concerned). What I meant to say (hopefully getting closer this time) is that what (I percieve) your downfall might be is not</> believing in yourself. Whoa, was that a poorly worded sentence. Anyway... it makes me feel sad sometimes when you are so hard on yourself. You have a lot of strengths, Pat. (hug)

[frankenboob.livejournal.com]

I'm don't have time to delete and repost the previous comment... pardon the html error & such.

I don't think C. is appalled at you. I'd be stunned if he was. I can only speak for myself when I say that "concern" has been about you & your family's welfare.