Be Kind To Sinners

Romans is probably one of my favorite books in the Bible. I believe that Paul wrote it as an introduction letter to the church in Rome. He wanted them to know who he was and what he was all about. So, he gave a detailed overview--not exhaustive in scope--of what he believed. The book/letter is filled with great doctrinal truths. 

As I read Romans chapter one yesterday, and then chapter two today, I made an interesting connection. Paul taught that we are to be kind to the sinners who we don't think deserve kindness. We all experience sin in others that become our personal pet peeve--those sins in others that annoy us. The sin that annoys me most in others is when a person avoids physical or spiritual work--SLOTH. Slothfulness is a legit sin, even though it's the one deadly sin that most people have the hardest time remembering. 

In chapter two Paul is very clear that we should demonstrate loving sensitivity towards those who are struggling with sin. Even the sins that so easily annoy us. 

Do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:3-4)

Paul's words made me think back to chapter one as he talked about those who reject God. In verses 26–27 Paul mentions how God's punishment against unbelief can ultimately lead to a specific sin:

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 

A culture's rejection of God can lead to God removing his hand of protection and guidance from that culture. And a potential result for that culture is the sin of homosexuality.

I grew up in a generation where the majority of people I knew in the Church considered homosexuality to be the most egregious sin (it was their greatest pet peeve). The commonplace response of the Church was persecution by ostracizing and mocking the gay person in the community. I'd even go so far as to say it was considered an acceptable response. The result of this harsh response, that spanned a generation, is now the overwhelming belief that the Church hates the LGBTQ community. Because the Church did not respond with the same kindness, tolerance, and patience that drew them out of sin and subsequently transformed their lives, the gay community is largely resistant to the overtures of the Church today.

We all come up against sins that annoy us and rise to the level of our personal "pet peeve." Paul is teaching the need to be careful to show kindness, tolerance, and patience towards the sinner who is seeking God but isn't yet as perfect as we are (btw, that's sarcasm). Seriously though, God doesn't give us a license to stop loving people. We should be able to love anyone because perfect God has loved imperfect us.