Are All Sins Equal?

Sin is sin is sin…or is it?  One Sunday during our adult Sunday School class, we had a visitor ask this question, “Do you really believe that all sin is equal?”  Several people spoke out and gave an answer based on what they believed to be true.  The general consensus was that, yes, all sin is equal in God’s eyes.  I didn’t have an answer.  I had to take some time to ponder that.  So ponder I have!

First and foremost I must establish that we are all sinners and without the righteousness of Jesus covering us, we would all be doomed to hell. That is the meaning of GRACE. 

 “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:22-23 

 As children of God we are going to continue to sin, but does God see all sin as equal? 

I asked Him this question and as He normally does, God showed me an answer that I could relate to.  As a parent, I set rules for my children. Some rules ensure that they will learn to be respectful, productive members of society.  Other rules are for their safety and protection…even protection from potential death. When they break the rules (sin) there are different degrees of punishment.  For example, if my child lies to me about a bad grade at school he/she may get grounded or have something taken away for a day or so.  Lies are not acceptable and must have consequences. But if my child gets drunk and gets behind the wheel of a car and ends up wrecking and hurting someone…not only would that hurt me, it would hurt my child and the other person.  So not only would he/she be punished more severely by me (take away car, grounded for a long, long time etc.) but he/she would also have to face many other consequences that were more severe, more far reaching and could last a lifetime.     

Both of those instances of breaking my rules would cause a problem in our relationship.  But as soon as my child asked for forgiveness with a repentant heart, I would forgive them.  But I would be doing a huge disservice to them if they did not have consequences for their actions.  And I believe the punishment should fit the crime. 

So in comparison, I feel that God is the same with us.  He has rules for a reason.  When we break those rules (sin) it causes our relationship with Him to be affected.  So in that sense, all sin is equal as far as hurting our relationship with our Father.  Sin separates us from Him.

The bible has many rules for us to go by like the 10 Commandments.  And yes, they do still apply to us!  He gave us rules for a reason.  Breaking those rules will result in consequences. Being a child of God does not exempt us from the consequences of sin any more than being my child exempts Cody or Maddie from the consequences of breaking my rules.  And the punishment will fit the crime…the bible tells us that He will repay us according to what we each have done.

Jeremiah 25:14

“They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands."

Ezekiel 18:30

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”

Revelation 20:13

“The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.”

 So what is my answer? Are all sins equal? 

All sin is equal in its effect on our relationship to God, but the

 consequences of our sins are very different.