Are
All Sins Equal? (In 1000 words)
The simple answer is
Yes and No. We can consider it in three headings:
I.
CONSEQUENCE
OF SIN
1.
Potential
of Sins: The end result of all sins is the same – eternal
separation from God, and eternal damnation (Rom 6:23). The solution for all
sins is also only through one Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:23). Before
God, all sins are an abomination. Small or big sins (humanly speaking), all
sins make us miss the standard of God’s holiness (Rom 3:23). Sin is anything
that falls short of the glory of God. Only one sin can cost you eternal
damnation. The Bible says in James 2:10, “For
whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of
all.”
In fact, sin is not primarily about committing or omitting by an individual;
rather sin is already enslaving us for we are a sinner by nature, from our
conception (Eph 2:1-3; Ps 51:5). Therefore, no matter how much or how less we
think we do, we are all guilty before God; and the fitting place is the lake of
fire because of the demand of God’s holiness. Everyone is a sinner since before
we know what is right and wrong. Sin entered the world through Adam, and all
died and will die because of sin (Rom 5:12; 1Cor 15:22). This alone, also known
as “original sin” is serious enough to condemn us to hell. We sin because we
are sinful at the core of our nature. Whatever we do is sinful-though not
necessarily as sinful as a sinner can be-unless God regenerates our dead soul.
God will not allow any sin to go unpunished. Are All Sins Equal? YES.
Serious Enough For God’s Wrath.
2.
Actual
Judgment of Sins: Some sins are worse than the others.
The Bible says clearly in many passages that there is a degree of sins, and so
the judgments too. (Luke 7: 41-47; 12: 47-48). There are greater sins (Eze. 8:6
, 13, 15). The Mosaic laws differentiate intentional and unintentional sins (Lev
4:2, 13, 22, 27). Jesus in his teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven and the Law
declares judgment concerning the degree of commitment (Matthew 5:19). Moreover, Jesus says in John 19: 11, “You
could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.
Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
Matthew 11:20-24 also gives enough evidence about the degree of Judgment. Even
the Believers Judgment of 1Cor 3:12-15 implies the degree of judgment. And
still Hebrews 10:26-29 talks about the worst punishments. Are All Sins
Equal? NO. As a man sows, so shall he reap!
II.
SOLUTION
FOR SINS
God
is not only a righteous and just God but also a merciful and gracious God. God
will not just send anyone to hell because of the original sin. He provides
salvation in Jesus. People go to hell on their choices. (John 3:16-18; 8:21,
24). Moreover, Galatians 6: 7 says “whatever a man sows that he will also
reap.”
1.
Pardonable: Jesus’
blood suffices for the forgiveness of all sins (Heb 10:10; 2: 17; Rom 3:25;
1John 2:2; 4:10) The Condition is to believe in the Person and Work of Jesus
Christ by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (John 3: 8, 16). If one
knows Christ (is saved), his sins are no longer counted. Big sins or small
sins do not matter. He has become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor
5:21)
2.
Unpardonable
Sin: Sins are not equal. It matters what sin you commit.
There is a sin that leads to death, which should not be asked for
forgiveness (1John 5:16). Hebrews 6:4-6 talks about the impossibility of
repentance towards God for Salvation. More so, Christ talks about the unpardonable
sin in Matt.12: 31-32 “Therefore I say to you,
any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the
Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word
against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against
the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the [age]
to come.” We understand this in
the light of John 3:17-18; Heb 10: 26-29; Matthew 7:21-23. No matter how you
feel, no matter how much good work (including Christian work) you do, no matter
whatsoever, if you reject Christ constantly, you die in your sin.
III.
POSITION
OF A SINNER
1. Redeemed Sinner: All the sins
of believers are justified in the Cross (Heb 10: 14; 1John 1:9). There is
nothing that he can do to lose his salvation (Rom 8:31-39). No sin has any
effect on his eternal position. Moreover, a believer is free from the law of
sin and death (Rom 8:2). However, sin matters in the earthly life. Believers
sin (1John1:8) and therefore, God chastises His children (Hebrews 12:3-11). And
that too, in God’s sovereignty, all things work out together for good (Romans
8:28). And one day he shall be free from the practice and presence of sin (Romans
8:29-30).
2. Unregenerate Sinner:
He has no forgiveness of sins both in earth and eternity (John 3:17-18). Sin
reigns over him. He is bondage to sin (John 8:48). Death reigns over him
physically and spiritually; earthly and eternally. (Rom 5: 12-14). Moreover,
God has no obligation to do good for sinners (Proverbs 28:9). Non-believers
live in guilt and finally go to the eternal lake of fire.
The
effect and consequence
of sin are different for a believer (redeemed sinner) and a non-believer
(unregenerate sinner). Sins Are Not Equal.
CONCLUSION: Sins in the sight of God
are all the same. It demands His holiness against it – damnation and eternal
separation. There is no small sin that God will look over it and let you be in
heaven. However, God punishes and will punish sin according to the degree of
sin. Jesus provides the only Salvation for the forgiveness of sins. He who
believes is saved and He who does not believe (reject) dies in his sin (which
is the eternal torment). A believer is freed from sin and a non-believer is a slave of sin. The Effect
And Consequence Of Sin Are Not The Same.