Scriptures: John 3:17 (NIV) – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV) – “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Message: In today’s Christian church, there are two phrases that we often hear.  From the more conservative Christian, you might hear, “Love the sinner, but hate the sin”.  This phrase is primarily directed towards individuals and/or groups that go against rules or doctrines of a particular denomination.  And from a more liberal Christian, the phrase you might hear is, “Keep an open mind”.  This phrase is mostly directed towards individuals and/or groups who are more conservatively rigid in their thinking.

These two diametrically opposite claims incorrectly imply that the thoughts and beliefs of others are completely wrong, or questionable, or need to be changed or modified.  These phrases (or similar phrases) are prevalent in today’s divided culture and denominations. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus came into this world to fulfill the law, not to abolish it.  Who would have thought that a baby born in a manger would grow up to change the world through love and forgiveness.  During this Lenten Season, we remember Christ’s journey of highs and lows to His death on the cross and to His resurrection.  We remember the two greatest commandments, to love God and to love each other, are intended to bring us together as “one in Christ”.

Prayer: Through the love of Jesus Christ, let us remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, as one in Christ, whose sins are forgiven through His death and resurrection.  Amen.

David Brown
St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Orlando, Florida