The other week, I was at the church I attend while I’m away at college. I was sitting during your average Sunday School lesson, when I heard the phrase, “Hate the sin, not the sinner.” This shocked me.

I had, of course, heard the phrase before. Not from any really close friends, but I would just occasionally scroll past it on my facebook page, give a brief roll of the eyes, and move on with my day. However, this was the first time I had heard the phrase in a church, with people I considered good friends. I knew they had certain stances and I opposed those, but I had not been expecting it.

It got me to thinking, “Why?” Ever since I was young, my parents had told me not to hate. Even my bullies, I had been told that I could have a dislike for, but never hate. I grew up in the church and the only thing I could ever remember was being told to love. My father, a deacon, and my grandfather, a former preacher, insisted that love was the best way and hating was never wise, especially as a Christian.

Growing up, I have seen that love come in all shapes, forms, and sizes, and that God loves them all and that he blesses it all. I have also seen the evil that comes from hate.

So why should I hate anything about anyone, when I have only been told to love?

I think back to the Bible. I never remember reading any words about Jesus telling anyone to hate. Never. He, in fact, hung out with the people that were supposed to be hated and taught them to love and trust in God. Isn’t Jesus the one we are supposed to listen to?

So why should I hate the way someone is when Jesus loved them no matter what and taught them about love and God?

The people who hated and refused to love were not kind people, especially to Jesus. Even those that liked Jesus, would question him for hanging out with people who had only a few sins.

However, aren’t we all sinners?

The Bible says “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Should I suddenly start looking at my fellow Christians and see their sins and say to them, “Well! Hate the sin, love the sinner!” I am almost certain they would not appreciate it. I know I wouldn’t.

So why should anyone say that to anyone at all?

I really don’t know, and I think anyone that does needs to stop. We need to learn to love the whole person. Not hate and love. As Martin Luther King once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

So, love. Love as Christ did and never even think of hate. I know it can be hard. Believe me, I know, but hate only causes more hate and that is not what true Christianity is about.