Any/all religious backgrounds welcome! Do you believe their are different degrees of sin? I think their are. Being as a child steals who candy bar compared to someone who murders. These I feel are different in levels of sin. Though I know some strongly feel that a sin is a sin, no matter what was done. I've always felt that their were different levels. Though I have always been 'different' so I wonder if it's just me.
When it comes to the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ; salvation, no sin is too big or small. In this case, a sin is a sin. BUT! The consequences of sin, here on earth, are not the same. The Bible even seperates sexual sin from other sins because sexual sin is a sin of the body and the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Sexual sin is also very damaging to the body, mind, and other people. Clearly some sins are more distructive than others. But the mercy of Christ covers all the sins of those who desire a relationship with Him and repentance of their sins.
Good pint Patty! The Bible doesn't distinguish between sins but there are definitely different consequences. Comparing a child to an adult is apples an oranges. However, if I steal a candy bar, it is no different from me commiting adultery.
First I would like to know where this "a sin is a sin" came from!! I have it ingrained in my mind from growing up, I guess. I don't see it in God's word. Is it there? That frustrates me a bit. Kind of like Christmas. My whole life I was ingrained to think that day was Jesus bday, when really it is the sun god's bday. [another rant for another time] Back to topic. I don't think all sins are the same. Like was said earlier, some sins are against your body. I like how these people put it. http://www.gotquestions.org/sins-equal.html
This truth was made clear to me in college when I was listening to Dr. Dobson interview serial killer, Ted Bundy. I was a child when Mr. Bundy was caught and convicted. His name had always stuck in my mind, because he was the first criminal to make me cognizant of the level of evil in this world. To me, he was the most evil thing imaginable at that time. So, my ears perked up when Dr. Dobson was interviewing him, Mr. Bundy was professing to be a born-again Christian. Dobson was skeptical; I think he was worried that he was being used to raise public sympathy and get a stay of execution. I realized though that Bundy really could have been forgiven, and he and I could be standing side by side in heaven one day having the same blood of Christ covering our sins. That was very humbling. Christ didn't have to die twice for Bundy's sins and only once for mine. He died once for all. I agree with everyone else though that sins are rated here on hearth by the severity of the consequence.
I think it depends on the perspective. Yes, Sin is Sin when sin is defined as "missing hte mark" meaning missing the mark of the requirement of holiness. We cannot attain holiness in and of ourselves. Our human nature (i.e. sin nature) makes it impossible for us to adhere to the law perfectly. If we were able to do this, there would be no need for a Savior. And if Jesus is not who He said he was an claimed to be then we are to be pitied above all fools. Have you ever placed anything before God in your life? HAve you ever been dishonoring to your parents? Have you lied? Stolen? (I would say in most certainty none of us have murdered) Envied someone - or wanted something they had? I know I have. Now stealing or envy may not seem as attrocious as murder or adultery. But if you read what Jesus said in the new testament - just THINKING/WANTING these things was as bad as committing them. I know there are many religions that write off Jesus as just a "good teacher" and that the Bible is "just a book". To me it is the inspired, inerent Word directly from God. Imperfection cannot exist in his presence (think seen from the opening of the Ark in the Temple of Doom in the Indiana Jones Movie). All imperfection, all sin is obliterated in the presence of a Holy God. So, without the covering of Jesus we are imperfect. With His covering we are allowed. Wow...there's so much more that can be gotten into. But I'm definitely in the sin is sin camp (now....I place children in a different category - I do believe in an age of ascent to knoweledge. You can know something is "wrong" at 7 and still do it but not realize that it is a "sin" etc.). Anyway....just my .02
I think if you start assigning a sins different degrees it opens the path to thinking things like "well this isn't as bad as..." or "at least I didn't do that..." And in my experience "smaller" sins often pave the road to bigger sins. Many child abusers might start out as good men who got caught in the snare of pornography. Or a thief was someone who was envious of something someone else had and finally decided to do something about it. I guess in the end my answer would be "does it matter?" I've been told by Christ not to kill people and I've been told by Christ not to lie to people. So I just do my best to do what He says. All of it.
I think I believe that all people can be forgiven of their sins, maybe even of any type of sin. But I have to admit that it bothers me to think that someone like Ted Bundy "can" get into heaven because he is forgiven, and someone who has lead a predominately good life with a minimum amount of sin will be sent to hell because he did not proclaim Jesus as his savior. This is the way I was raised to believe, but as an adult I think there are more grey areas than the bible specifically outlines.
I believe that we humans are the ones who have decided that there are differing degrees of sin. We can't quite fathom that stealing a candy bar is as much a sin in God's eye as adultry is. We can not come into the presence of God with ANY sin, because he is completely Holy and completely Just. If we could, we would not need Christ to cover our sins, we could just be a "good" person and never commit the biggies (murder, rape, adultry, etc.). All sin is sin in God's eyes. We just give sins "degrees" to make OURSELVES more comfortable..."oh, it was only a little white lie, no one is even getting their feelings hurt. It's not like I killed my neighbor". Uh huh. Convenient, but not accurate. :wink:
International Standard Version (©2008) Jesus answered him, "You have no authority over me at all, except what was given to you from above. That's why the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:11 I think this means there are different degrees of sin. Furthermore, I cannot believe that a just God will punishment someone who told a lie as much as Hitler. What do you think? Also in the Old Testament different sins were treated in different ways depending on what the offense was and WHO committed the sin. For example a priest (leader) would require a different sacrifice than an 'ordinary' Israelite. That's my two cents...
Now, is that mercy or what?! :angel: Praise God!!!! All who come to Christ will have everlasting life.
This is the scripture that makes me believe that sexual sin is different. "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 This is the scripture that assures me that when it comes to redemption, all sins are forgiven and Christ forgiveness doesn't see any sin that can't be forgiven because it is too big or small or on a specific level. Romans 6:23 is clear, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." It does not specify a sin but is clear all sin leads to death but there is eternal life in Christ. This is why Jesus is our redeemer, regardless of sin. But as I already stated, consequences of sin on earth are different.
If God forgave Saul, AKA Apostle Paul, then he will forgive anybody. Remember Saul was one of Christianity's most rabid antagonist of the time. He participated in the persecution of Christians, partaking in killings of believers. There are indeed grey areas in the Bible, but not where salvation is concerned. The Bible is clear that salvation comes through salvation in Christ and not by being good. Edited to add: Great thread. I enjoy discussions like this.
I have not read every reply but I agree with those that said all sins can be forgiven (as long as the sinner is repentant!). The only exception is a sin against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31). Here is a bit I read about comparing the gravity of sin: "Although sin is sin, and in any case could justly make the guilty one worthy of sin’s “wages,” death, the Scriptures show that God views mankind’s wrongdoing as varying in degrees of gravity. Thus, the men of Sodom were “gross sinners against Jehovah,” and their sin was “very heavy.” (Ge 13:13; 18:20; compare 2Ti 3:6, 7.) The Israelites’ making a golden calf was also called “a great sin” (Ex 32:30, 31), and Jeroboam’s calf worship similarly caused those of the northern kingdom “to sin with a great sin.” (2Ki 17:16, 21) Judah’s sin became “like that of Sodom,” making the kingdom of Judah abhorrent in God’s eyes. (Isa 1:4, 10; 3:9; La 1:8; 4:6) Such a course of disregard for God’s will can make even one’s very prayer become a sin. (Ps 109:7, 8, 14) Since sin is an affront to God’s own person, he is not indifferent to it; as its gravity increases, his indignation and wrath are understandably increased. (Ro 1:18; De 29:22-28; Job 42:7; Ps 21:8, 9) His wrath, however, is not solely due to the involvement of his own person but is likewise stirred by the injury and injustice done to humans and particularly to his faithful servants.—Isa 10:1-4; Mal 2:13-16; 2Th 1:6-10."
What any of us BELIEVES really doesn't matter. What DOES matter is what God says. ALL have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 There is no one righteous, not even one. Romans 3:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10 Whoever blelieves in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:36 (All verses NIV) Whether God considers some sins more grevious than others REALLY DOESN'T MATTER. What DOES matter is that EACH OF US sins, be it "big" or "little" sin. And EACH of those sins seperate us from God. So let's stop worrying about OTHERS' sin, and concentrate on dealing with OUR OWN.
BRAVO! My husband had this bumper sticker once that said "God said it, I believe it, that does it." He cut out the "I believe it" so it said "God said it, that does it". LOL. Whether or not I believe it is irrelevant (well, except in my eternal destination, of course). Truth is truth, regardless of whether I believe it or not.
It isn't enough to be comfortable with the fact that we all need to work on ourselves, which we do, and not worry about what sin is greater, smaller, or somebody elses sin. If it wasn't an issue, I do not think God would have taken the time to distinguish the differences between sexual sin and other sins. There is a great deal of importance behind it. It impacts the way we and other people live their lives. Yes God's word is final and the truth but some people do not believe it even if it is the final word. IMHO.:angel: This is why I like discussions like this. Thanks for starting it. It is another opportunity to help share what the Bible says with those who may not understand. It isn't enough to just focus on our own sins, regardless of size, sharing why we believe what we believe not only helps others but it opens up our eyes to further questions and understanding.
Ain't THAT the truth!!! But, as I said, what they do or do not believe won't change the reality. I mean, I could believe that Asia doesn't really exist, since I've never experienced Asia. It could even be a sincere, heart-felt belief, but that doesn't make it reality. To me, when people tend to "grade" sin, it's with the intent of letting themselves off the hook, to make them feel as if they're not REALLY "that" bad. And this is a bad habit to get into. Sin, regardless of the size of it, needs to be dealt with.
