hate the sin, love the sinner

Have you ever heard the saying "hate the sin, love the sinner"? I am finding myself in that position more and more these days as my understanding of God's word grows. Things that I saw no issues with before are really jumping out at me now.Most of the ones that I see the sins in are my friends, but I am also finding a lot more sin in my own life. The thing is though, in my life I know I am saved and that I have forgiveness if I am sincere and repent from my sin. I do not know that the the ones around me have that same comfort however. I can take the word to them, I can try to live a life that sets an example for them, but in the end, they are the ones that will have to choose to accept Christ. I know I can not make them choose to drink the living waters He gives, I can only take them to the source. If they still make the choice to live in darkness, that does not mean my friendship ends with them. I do not just cut them out of my life. I have to learn to hate the sin and not the sinner. Jesus did this on His time here. He taught all and loved all. He sat with the tax collectors and the thieves. He spoke to the sinners and the saved. When asked why He did this he basically told folks that the saved did not need Him as much as the unsaved did. If we apply the same idea to our lives and our circle of friends, then the unsaved among us needs us more than ever. Do not give up on them. If you continue to be that positive influence and continue to expose them to the truth, The Holy Spirit can come in and make changes you never dreamed possible. Hate the sin, not the sinner, easier said than done sometimes. Just remember, you are a sinner too.