Category: God

Are Some Sins Bigger Than Others?

We often hear people say that all sins are equal; that there are not any that are greater than others because no matter what the transgression–whether a lie or murder–it will still keep a person out of heaven.

Though it is true that any sin will keep one banished from this eternal home of the saved, is it true that all sins are equal? Let us consider this today.

From a human standpoint, we tend to rate sins, and some do seem worse than others. In fact, some terribly so. Murder, for example, would be much worse than hating a brother–though God would still see the latter as a type of “murder in the heart” (cf. 1 Jn. 3:15; Matt. 5:21,22). But the actual act of murder committed out of hatred or anger–in addition to sinful malice–also wrongly takes away a human life that was created in the image of God. So, isn’t this then at least a “double sin”?

Though sexual immorality was common in the days of the apostle Paul, there was one branch of this, incest, that he points out as “is not even named among the Gentiles” (1 Cor. 5:1). I don’t believe Paul is saying that it never existed, but as a rule, or generally speaking, it did not; and the implication also being that the Jews would have viewed it as even more abhorrent than these Gentiles. This would, therefore, seemingly be thought of as a sin which was worse than some other sexual sins (which would also still be our common view toward it today).

We could probably make our own list of rated sins, beginning with what seems to us as being the worse and working down; but does God view some sins as being greater than others?

We can answer this by making an inference with Matthew 22:35-40. In this passage, a lawyer had asked Jesus (actually, to test Him), “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” The Lord said that it was to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He referred to this as the “first and greatest commandment.” Then He even added a second commandment (which, though important to obey, was not the “foremost” commandment). Would it, therefore, not be a “greater” sin to violate the “first” commandment than the secondary one? Most would probably think so. However, regardless of what sin one commits, heaven will be forfeited.

In the Old Testament, sins of ignorance or unintentional sins do not appear to be as bad as a willful sin, yet they still had to be atoned for (Heb. 9:7; Num. 15:22-31), We know that ignorance will not be an excuse in the judgment day (Acts 17:30,31); and even during Hosea’s time, many of God’s people were being destroyed because of “lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6).

Peter shows that it is worse for one who comes to the knowledge of the truth, becomes a Christian, and is set free from the world to then go back into sin than the one who never knew the truth. Though both will be lost in the judgment day, it will be worse for the backslidden Christian because he was on the road to eternal life with heaven almost within his grasp. Is it therefore worse for the Christian to sin than for the non-Christian who commits the same wrong? Some will say the child of God should not only know better, but also has much more to lose because of his sin. The bottom line, however, is that all sin is wrong; for sin is “the transgression of the law,” or simply, “lawlessness,” as the NASB states (1 Jn. 3:4); and the law being violated is God’s (the highest law of all).

Therefore, whether it is a “little white lie” or a monstrous murder, the eternal penalty is the same. If you remember, it was merely because of a lie (and the attitude of their heart that accompanied it) that caused Ananias and Sapphira to lose their lives as the consequence (Acts 5 1-11).

Though some sins do appear to be greater than others from man’s standpoint, as well as God’s, let us never take any sin lightly; but, rather, realize that no matter how small the transgression might seem, it required the death of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for that sin so that man could be set free from its bondage (Heb. 2:9, 14-15). Any sin, therefore, is a serious matter; and we must strive to avoid all transgressions at any cost.

May we never be found trying to extenuate, condone, or justify any transgression. Rather, if we are guilty of sin, we must face up to it and deal with it in our lives. For if we want to be forgiven of our wrongs and be saved, we must meet the Lord’s requirements.

Sadly, we live in a time when more and more people are trying to redefine that which God formerly called sin. Marriage, divorce and marrying again is running rampant in our time, and, unfortunately, the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:9 continue to be disregarded by the masses. Murder, violence, disrespect toward human life, homosexuality, cohabitation, fornication, stealing, cheating, vulgar speaking, jealousy, slander, lying, gossip, and numerous other sins are all too common today. Many of these are no longer viewed by society as being the sin in which God’s word clearly declares it as being.

The morals of our society are sinking low, while some of the immoralities are being exalted in the movie industry, and in many modern-day books, as well as in real life. There are already those who do not even accept the reality of sin. But remember, until one does, there is no way that that person can even begin to come to Jesus Christ, for the Lord did not come for the righteous, but the sinner (Luke 5:32).

If you have forgotten what sin is, please turn to the New Testament today. Don’t let society, the media, or merely your own feelings define it for you, let God, For He is the One that we each, who have reached an age of accountability, have sinned against (Rom. 3:10, 23). And He the one who, no matter how great your, sins might be, wants to save you from every wrong you’ve ever committed and provide you with an eternal home in heaven (2 Peter 3:9). The price has been paid (1 Peter 1:18-20). God’s salvation plan has been given (Rom. 1:16). It is now up each one of us to begin in our own hearts toward our destination of heaven by yielding in full allegiance–by our faith and by our obedience–to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For He is the “author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9). And having done so, your sins, -whether – great or small, will each be forgiven, blotted out, and removed as far as the east is from the west (Acts 2:38; Psa. 103:12).

If you are still carrying your burden of sin, why not obey the Lord so that He may take that burden away? What greater blessing can there be than to have the remission of sins, which also results in becoming a child of God, having the hope of eternal life, and being in a Spiritual and harmonious relationship with the eternal Creator of the Universe who loves His people with an everlasting love and will bring them to a place of ultimate bliss.

Am I Ruled By God?

When you look at it from a certain aspect, being ruled by God is a simple consideration. A person makes a choice to give God control of their life. They decide to make the will of God the top priority and concern in decisions made, choices picked, and directions taken. While it is understood that there may be a great amount consideration about “what is God’s will in this matter,” God’s will is the primary concern.

On the other hand, being ruled by God is a complex consideration. The complexity comes in knowing one’s motives. “Am I doing this for me or for God? Am I merely conforming to the expectations of my past and other people, or am I surrendering to God? Am I trying to manipulate God or serve God? Am I trying to make the important people in my life happy or am I seeking to bring joy to God? Does this arise from faith in myself or faith in God?” Those can be hard questions to answer honestly! They focus on the truth that response to God must be internal as well as external.

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

God’s Love, What Is Your Response?

Many passages of scripture speak of God’s deep love for mankind. In what is perhaps the greatest verse, Jesus states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). Also, we find Paul writing, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). And John adds, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4:10). All these passages point to the great love God has for His creation (mankind).

The act of love on God’s part in sacrificing His Son, is the basis of the gospel. It is His plan for man’s redemption from sin. “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

It is by this gospel (and no other) message that calls us to salvation. “…because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:13-14). The gospel message holds the key to our salvation. Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16 ).

God gave His Son as a sacrifice for the guilt of our sins. His act of love calls for a loving response from each of us. The most effective way one can demonstrate their love for God, is by obeying the gospel. This is done by dying to your life of sin as you are buried with Christ in baptism and raised up from that watery grave reborn, forgiven, saved in Christ (Rom. 6:3-5).

God has abundantly demonstrated His love for us through the gospel message. The question is, “How are you responding to His love?” Perhaps, at this point, it might be wise to read Paul’s description of the final day of judgment: “…when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

The Gender-Neutral Trend

History records for us the good and evil of past societies. When looking at this, I find our society no worse, and in many cases, not even close to than the ancient societies. However, I also notice something else that perhaps should be of great concern to us. Each of these societies has been brought low by the God of Heaven for their evil.

Some time ago, a movement started that had the aim of producing a gender-neutral society. Accordingly, many institutions have been put into existence that are designed to accomplish this end. One such is the neutralization of public restrooms.

I cannot say exactly when this started, but in 2015 it was reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, that the boys’ bathrooms and girls’ bathrooms were to become just bathrooms at the Miraloma Elementary School in San Francisco, California as they go gender-neutral. This decision follows a trend that is accelerating in our nation. There are many other reports I could site, but one is enough for us to think about the implications of such a move.

God on Gender

1) Male and Female. Considering this ridiculousness, a good question is, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE?” (Matt. 19:4-5). The origination book affirms, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Gen. 1:27). Again, it is recorded, “He created them male and female…” (Gen. 5:2). If you’re not sure which you are, you might check your birth certificate.

2) Mankind and Womankind. Leviticus 18:22 teaches, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” Today we are told that if you are mankind you can change to womankind, and if you are womankind you can identify as mankind. Craziness, isn’t it?

Men and women

3) Man and Woman. The creation account reveals, “The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man” (Gen. 2:22-23). Paul wrote the Corinthians, “it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:1-2).

4) Husbands and Wives. The Ephesian letter instructs, “Ephesians 5:22-33 NAS95 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife…But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands…Husbands, love your wives…and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband” (Eph. 5:22-33).

5) Father and Mother. Did you know that the terms “dad” and “mom” or “father” and “mother” are now considered offensive to some in our society? The Book of God says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Paul wrote the Ephesians, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER…” (Eph. 6:1-2).

Boys and girls

6) Sons and Daughters. The generations of Adam find “sons and daughters” being born (Gen. 5:4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 26, 30). When you were born, were you a son or a daughter?

7) Boys and Girls. Zechariah 8:5 says, “And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.” When a child is born, the first words are often: “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” Right? Some school systems no longer refer to students as “boys” and “girls”. Teachers are told, “Don’t use phrases such as ‘boys and girls,’ ‘you guys,’ ‘ladies and gentlemen,’ and similarly gendered expressions to get kids’ attention.” Instead of “boys” and “girls”, call them purple penguins! Divide them by whether they prefer skateboards or bikes, or whether they like milk or juice. So, are we going to have the milk room and the juice room, instead of the boys’ room and the girls’ room?

He and she

8) He and She. ‘He” and “she” occurs in 160 Bible verses. Here’s a sampling: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Gen. 3:6). You ought to be able to tell a she from a he and a he from a she! The law commanded, “A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God” (Deut. 22:5). The Corinthians were asked, “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her…” (1 Cor. 11:14-15). Speaking of nature-teaching, did you observe what Noah took with him into the ark? “…two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female” (Gen. 6:19). Ever see a trans dog or cat?

Conclusion

Friend, we might ask, “What’s next?” It is time to recognize the sovereignty of God and accept what is obvious to all. There is a difference between male and female. So, let us accept God’s design and forget about bringing “strange fire” before Him (Lev 10:1; Num 26:61). The results of this “strange fire” are disastrous.