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Love Everyone, But Hate Sinful Behavior

This is known as moral relativism.

Moral relativism means that what is right or wrong can be different for each person.

This IS NOT what the Bible teaches. God has made it clear that morality -- meaning what is right and what is wrong wrong -- is not relative.

Moral Relativism: We all know that sharing is good. When we all share we live a happier, pleasant, more peaceful life.

I love watching TV. Today my television broke. So I walked into your house, unplugged your TV, and took it to my house. I believe this is good behavior because I'm helping you to share what you have with me. (This example could also apply to your car, your clothes, your food or anything else you have.)

But, is it right for me to decide you should share your TV with me, without my asking you? If you accept moral relativism, there is nothing wrong with what I did. Your only option is to buy yourself a new TV.

God's Absolute Morals: Taking something that belongs to someone else, without their permission, is called stealing. Stealing is not acceptable behavior, and is not behavior that we allow. Stealing is wrong. This is known as an absolute moral value--it applies in all cases.

If someone, who is mentally ill, continually breaks into your home and steals whatever he can move, do you accept that and say it is okay? After all, this person sees nothing wrong in what he is doing.

No, we do not accept this type of behavior. We will have compassion on the person (we will love that person) and try to see that they get the proper help. However, we do not like, we do not approve of, nor do we accept their behavior (stealing).

In other words, we love the person, but hate the sin (stealing).

That is what God tells us to do. We are to love our neighbor and hate all sin.

We are all familiar with the fact that Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor, but what about those things we are supposed to hate? Here's a quote that covers both:

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong." - (NLT) Romans 12:9

Notice, it says to love others (people) and hate what is wrong (behaviors), not who is wrong.

What are some of the behaviors God hates? What does God teach us to hate?

"Do not make evil plots to harm each other. And stop this habit of swearing to things that are false. I hate all these things, says the LORD." - (NLT) Zechariah 8:17

"You who love the LORD, hate evil!" - (NLT) Psalm 97:10

"Truly, each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way." - (NLT) Psalm 119:128