Peace be with you!

WOW! What an awesome post and replies! The Sprit truly is working through all of you and that is the Glory of God!

This is a very poignant topic. For I have had to deal with this same situation with a friend at work. First I have to really understand what the definitions of love and sin were. So I turned to my trust Bible ” title=”Smile” /> and the perfect definition appeared in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Now that I understood that Love was more then a Valentine’s Day card or of a physical nature, as TV and Movies try to make us believe, I need to learn what sin was. So again off to the best research tool I know, my Bible ” title=”Smile” />

I found several good definitions that I think get to the many levels of sin. First, 1 John 3:4;

“4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.”

and Proverbs 14:34;

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

The Proverb I think explains what the reaction to sin by people is or should be.

Now how does all this relate to answering the original question, you may ask your self. Well, having these definitions to work with gives me scope and direction on how I am to love and how I am to hate sin. How is that you ask? Christ’s life is the greatest example of all, through patience, perseverance; even in the midst of criticisms, true love of God’s children, and forgiveness can this be done.

So with my friend at work I would talk with him and offer help when need or asked. When his acts or his dialog lead to sin I would tell him that I did not approve of that which he was doing or speaking and through example (my own) turned from that and tried to be righteous in all I did. This can hurt too because at first you friend my call you names, Jesus freak among them, but over time when the come to see and realize that by loving (as earlier defined), leaving a righteous life, can bring great peace, joy, ad success in many areas. Unfortunately this is not an over night thing and requires great patience (love) and time.

I hope this helps in some way.

Fred,