--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think we should love sinners, and…" description: "\"I think we should love sinners, and welcome them, and open our arms to them, and then we don't totally accept them into our fellowship as believers and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png" --- # I think we should love sinners, and welcome them, and open… ![“I think we should love sinners, and welcome them, and open our arms to them, and then we don't totally accept them into our fellowship as believers and as Christians until they have repented their sins and changed their way of living.” quote by Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png) > “I think we should love sinners, and welcome them, and open our arms to them, and then we don't totally accept them into our fellowship as believers and as Christians until they have repented their sins and changed their way of living.” [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Love should be extended to sinners, but full fellowship is reserved for those who truly repent and change their lives. **In simple terms:** Love sinners but accept only repentant believers. Key Takeaway Offer love, encourage genuine repentance. Themes compassion redemption faith community discipline Mood hopeful thoughtful Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - church outreach - personal counseling - community building Key Concepts grace conversion ethical boundaries Questions to Reflect On - When should love become conditional? - How to support repentance without judgment? A Different Perspective Balancing unconditional love with conditional acceptance can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believer/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Fellowship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellowship/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sinners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinners/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Way of living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-living/) ## Related quotes > [“ROM5.8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rom5-8-but-god-commendeth-his-love-toward-us-in-that-while-we-were/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He who does not love sinners cannot pray aright for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/he-who-does-not-love-sinners-cannot-pray-aright-for-them/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [It is staggering that God should love sinners, yet it is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/it-is-staggering-that-god-should-love-sinners-yet-it-is-true/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [That the Father and Son would love sinners that much is beyond our comprehension--but it ought to awaken a response of love and gratitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-hunt/that-the-father-and-son-would-love-sinners-that-much-is-beyond-our/) [Dave Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-hunt/) > [Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/behold-he-who-has-repented-of-his-sins-the-same-is-forgiven-and-i-the/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [“I am ready. I have repented my sins and soon I will be in heaven with Christ my savior. Now I must die like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-portis/i-am-ready-i-have-repented-my-sins-and-soon-i-will-be-in-heaven-with/) [Charles Portis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-portis/) > [God does not love sinners because they are attractive; sinners are attractive to God because he loves them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/god-does-not-love-sinners-because-they-are-attractive-sinners-are/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [“All believers have been called into only one fellowship, which is that of Jesus Christ. Believers may mistakenly consider the group they associate with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hon/all-believers-have-been-called-into-only-one-fellowship-which-is-that/) [Henry Hon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hon/) > [“THE ONENESS OF ALL BELIEVERS Ephesians 4:4-6 Believers are one in   Our unity is experienced in Body   The fellowship of believers—the church Spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyndale/the-oneness-of-all-believers-ephesians-4-4-6-believers-are-one-in-our/) [Tyndale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyndale/) > [“Believers usually only have fellowship with those in their own church or group. This segregation is divisive. Intentional actions are needed to go visit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hon/believers-usually-only-have-fellowship-with-those-in-their-own-church/) [Henry Hon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hon/) > [“He who is alone with his sins is utterly alone. It may be that Christians, notwithstanding corporate worship, common prayer, and all their fellowship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/he-who-is-alone-with-his-sins-is-utterly-alone-it-may-be-that/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Stay in church, stay in prayer, stay in the Word, and stay in fellowship with other believers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-alcorn/stay-in-church-stay-in-prayer-stay-in-the-word-and-stay-in-fellowship/) Nancy Alcorn > [“It may be that Christians, notwithstanding corporate worship, common prayer, and all their fellowship in service, may still be left to their loneliness. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/it-may-be-that-christians-notwithstanding-corporate-worship-common/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [We're all sinners. Everybody you meet all over the world is a sinner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/we-re-all-sinners-everybody-you-meet-all-over-the-world-is-a-sinner/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“I think you want very much to make this black and white--to make us all out to be sinners or saints. But it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-sexton/i-think-you-want-very-much-to-make-this-black-and-white-to-make-us/) [Marie Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-sexton/) ## More by Billy Graham > [Faith is the avenue to salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-the-avenue-to-salvation-not-intellectual-understanding-not/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/do-all-the-good-you-can-by-all-the-means-you-can-in-all-the-ways-you/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Make sure of your salvation by turning your life over to Him now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/make-sure-of-your-salvation-by-turning-your-life-over-to-him-now/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Faith is loved and honored by God more than any other single thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-loved-and-honored-by-god-more-than-any-other-single-thing/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [If people are kicking you in the behind, at least you're in front of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/if-people-are-kicking-you-in-the-behind-at-least-you-re-in-front-of/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [The end of the world begins the moment you die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/the-end-of-the-world-begins-the-moment-you-die/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Those are decisions only the Lord will make. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/those-are-decisions-only-the-lord-will-make-i-believe-the-love-of-god/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [I think it is a sin to look at another person as inferior to yourself because of race or because of ethnic background and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-it-is-a-sin-to-look-at-another-person-as-inferior-to-yourself/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [My hope does not rest in the affairs of this world. It rests in Christ who is coming again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/my-hope-does-not-rest-in-the-affairs-of-this-world-it-rests-in-christ/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-get-nations-back-on-their-feet-we-must-first-get-down-on-our-knees/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Those who have suffered make the best comforters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/those-who-have-suffered-make-the-best-comforters/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Sin is the second most powerful force in the universe, for it sent Jesus to the cross. Only one force is greater-the love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/sin-is-the-second-most-powerful-force-in-the-universe-for-it-sent/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Ruth and I don't have a perfect marriage, but we have a great one. How can I say two things that seem so contradictory?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/ruth-and-i-don-t-have-a-perfect-marriage-but-we-have-a-great-one-how/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) [Explore all 853 Billy Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think we should love sinners, and welcome them, and open our arms to them, and then we don't totally accept them into our fellowship as believers and as Christians until they have repented their sins and changed their way of living.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Billy Graham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welcome-them-and-open-our-arms-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accepting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welcome-them-and-open-our-arms-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/billy-graham-234_accepting_i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welco_2263797.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think we should love sinners, and welcome them, and open our arms to them, and then we don't totally…” — Billy Graham", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Billy Graham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think we should love sinners,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welcome-them-and-open-our-arms-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-we-should-love-sinners-and-welcome-them-and-open-our-arms-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```