Jesus Said to Love Your Neighbor—No Labels Attached

Jesus told us to love our neighbor—but what happens when we replace “neighbor” with a label? “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is one of Christianity’s most familiar sayings. It sounds compassionate, spiritual, and even biblical. Yet Jesus never used it. Instead, He told us to love our neighbors—and then used the story of the Good Samaritan to show that “neighbor” includes the very people we are most tempted to dismiss, distrust, or define by their differences. In this message, we explore how labels can quietly distort love, why focusing on another person’s sin can lead to pride and hypocrisy, and what Jesus actually taught about grace, truth, judgment, and mercy. Whether you are a committed Christian, uncertain about faith, or someone who has felt judged by the church, this is an invitation to reconsider how we see one another. The challenge is simple, but it is not easy: love everyone and hate your own sin. God does not reduce us to our failures. Through Jesus, He offers grace, forgiveness, and a restored relationship with Him—and calls us to extend that same mercy to others. If this message challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who may need it, subscribe for more sermons, and join the conversation: What label do we need to replace with the word “neighbor”? Scriptures referenced: Mark 12:28–31; 1 John 4:7–8; Leviticus 19; Luke 10:25–37; Matthew 7:1–5; Isaiah 59:2; Matthew 23:13; Romans 12:9; Psalm 97:10; Amos 5:15; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 1:17. Series: You’ve Been Lied To Message: Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin? Church: Midtown Church #LoveYourNeighbor #ChristianSermon #GoodSamaritan