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05-27-2008, 07:42 PM
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| | | Are all Sins equal???
This is something I hear quite frequently from the average evangelical. All Sins are Equal in God's eyes. I have been unable to find this taught anywhere in scripture and have seen some evidence to the contrary if I am reading my Bible truthfully.
Yes the punishment of death is placed upon any/every sin, but are sins in any other way all "equal"?
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05-27-2008, 07:48 PM
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Westminster Larger Catechism: Quote:
Q150: Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?
A150: All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.[1]
1. John 19:11; Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; I John 5:16; Psa. 78:17, 32, 56
Q151: What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?
A151: Sins receive their aggravations,
1. From the persons offending:[1] if they be of riper age,[2] greater experience or grace,[3] eminent for profession,[4] gifts,[5] place,[6] office,[7] guides to others,[8] and whose example is likely to be followed by others.[9]
2. From the parties offended:[10] if immediately against God,[11] his attributes,[12] and worship;[13] against Christ, and his grace;[14] the Holy Spirit,[15] his witness,[16] and workings;[17] against superiors, men of eminency,[18] and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto;[19] against any of the saints,[20] particularly weak brethren,[21] the souls of them, or any other,[22] and the common good of all or many.[23]
3. From the nature and quality of the offense:[24] if it be against the express letter of the law,[25] break many commandments, contain in it many sins:[26] if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions,[27] scandalize others,[28] and admit of no reparation:[29] if against means,[30] mercies,[31] judgments,[32] light of nature,[33] conviction of conscience,[34] public or private admonition,[35] censures of the church,[36] civil punishments;[37] and our prayers, purposes, promises,[38] vows,[39] covenants,[40] and engagements to God or men:[41] if done deliberately,[42] wilfully,[43] presumptuously,[44] impudently,[45] boastingly,[46] maliciously,[47] frequently,[48] obstinately,[49] with delight,[50] continuance,[51] or relapsing after repentance.[52]
4. From circumstances of time [53] and place:[54] if on the Lord's day,[55] or other times of divine worship;[56] or immediately before [57] or after these,[58] or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages:[59] if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.[60]
1. Jer. 2:8
2. Job 32:7, 9; Eccl. 4:13
3. I Kings 11:4, 9
4. II Sam. 12:14; I Cor. 5:1
5. James 4:17; Luke 12:47-48
6. Jer. 5:4-5
7. II Sam. 12:7-9; Ezek. 8:11-12
8. Rom. 2:17-24
9. Gal. 2:11-14
10. Matt. 21:38-39
11. I Sam. 2:25; Acts 5:4; Psa. 51:4
12. Rom. 2:4
13. Mal. 1:8, 14
14. Heb. 2:2-3; 12:25
15. Heb. 10:29; Matt. 12:31-32
16. Eph. 4:30
17. Heb. 6:4-6
18. Jude 1:8; Num. 12:8-9; Isa. 3:5
19. Prov. 30:17; II Cor. 12:15; Psa. 55:12-15
20. Zeph. 2:8, 10-11; Matt. 18:6; I Cor. 6:8; Rev. 17:6
21. I Cor. 8:11-12; Rom. 14:13, 15, 21
22. Ezek. 13:19; I Cor. 8:12; Rev. 18:12-13; Matt. 23:15
23. I Thess. 2:15-16; Josh. 22:20
24. Prov. 6:30-35
25. Ezra 9:10-12; I Kings 11:9-10
26. Col. 3:5; I Tim. 6:10; Prov. 5:8-12; 6:32-33; Josh. 7:21
27. James 1:14-15; Matt. 5:22; Micah 2:1
28. Matt. 18:7; Rom. 2:23-24
29. Deut 22:22, 28-29; Prov. 6:32-35
30. Matt. 11:21-24; John 15:22
31. Isa. 1:3; Deut. 32:6
32. Amos 4:8-11; Jer. 5:8
33. Rom. 1;26-27
34. Rom. 1:32; Dan. 5:22; Titus 3:10-11
35. Prov. 29:1
36. Titus 3:10; Matt. 18:17
37. Prov. 23:35, 27:22
38. Psa. 78:34-37; Jer. 2:20, 13:5-6, 20-21
39. Eccl. 5:4-6; Prov. 20:25
40. Lev. 26:25
41. Prov. 2:17; Ezek. 17:18-19
42. Psa. 36:4
43. Jer. 6:16
44. Num. 15:30; Exod. 21:14
45. Jer. 3:3; Prov. 7:13
46. Psa. 52:1
47. III John 1:10
48. Num. 14:22
49. Zech. 7:11-12
50. Prov. 2:14
51. Isa. 57:17
52. Jer. 34:8-11; II Peter 2:20-22
53. II Kings 5:26
54. Jer. 7:10; Isa. 26:10
55. Ezek. 23:37-39
56. Isa. 58:3-5; Num. 25:6-7
57. I Cor. 11:20-21
58. Jer. 7:8-10, 14-15; John 13:27, 30
59. Ezra 9:13-14
60. II Sam. 16:22; I Sam. 2:22-24
Q152: What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God?
A152: Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty,[1] goodness,[2] and holiness of God,[3] and against his righteous law,[4] deserveth his wrath and curse,[5] both in this life,[6] and that which is to come;[7] and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.[8]
1. James 2:10-11
2. Exod. 20:1-2
3. Hab. 1:13; Lev. 10:3; 11:44-45
4. I John 3:4; Rom. 7:12
5. Eph. 5:6; Gal. 3:10
6. Lam. 3:39; Deut. 28:15-68
7. Matt. 25:41
8. Heb. 9:22; I Peter 1:18-19
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05-27-2008, 07:49 PM
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All sins are equally damning, but all sins are not equally heinous.
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05-27-2008, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Don Kistler  All sins are equally damning, but all sins are not equally heinous. |  |
05-27-2008, 08:08 PM
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I have some difficulty with this question as I often see (in both others and myself) people who seem to suggest that little sins do not really matter, or perhaps at the other extreme that as everyone sins then sin as a whole is not so serious.
I tend to think that grading sin is a dangerous road to go down, I am sure that Onan did not think that his sin was all thats serious, it is really not our place to do so as we are not the offended party.
As all sin is damning I think that we should leave it at that and not find solace in speculation as to the severity of different sins unless this is required for judicial or quasi-judicial purposes.
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London City Presbyterian Church
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"Surely, we wish to be orthodox, but we must first learn what real orthodoxy is. Surely, we wish to be progressive, but we must first have a basis to progress from."
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05-27-2008, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Hippo I tend to think that grading sin is a dangerous road to go down ... As all sin is damning I think that we should leave it at that and not find solace in speculation as to the severity of different sins ... | I think that it's probably not speculation to state that there are differing degrees of the severity of certain sins, because there are consequently different degrees of punishment.
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05-27-2008, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by joshua Quote:
Originally Posted by Hippo I tend to think that grading sin is a dangerous road to go down ... As all sin is damning I think that we should leave it at that and not find solace in speculation as to the severity of different sins ... | I think that it's probably not speculation to state that there are differing degrees of the severity of certain sins, because there are consequently different degrees of punishment. | I do find this hard to understand in practice, eternal is eternal.
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Mike
London City Presbyterian Church
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"Surely, we wish to be orthodox, but we must first learn what real orthodoxy is. Surely, we wish to be progressive, but we must first have a basis to progress from."
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05-27-2008, 08:32 PM
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| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Hippo Quote:
Originally Posted by joshua Quote:
Originally Posted by Hippo I tend to think that grading sin is a dangerous road to go down ... As all sin is damning I think that we should leave it at that and not find solace in speculation as to the severity of different sins ... | I think that it's probably not speculation to state that there are differing degrees of the severity of certain sins, because there are consequently different degrees of punishment. | I do find this hard to understand in practice, eternal is eternal. | Maybe so. Insofar as this thread goes, I don't think anyone has advocated making a list of those that are more heinous, but rather simply acknowledging that there is a difference in severity of some sins over others.
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05-27-2008, 08:33 PM
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I tend to think that grading sin is a dangerous road to go down, I am sure that Onan did not think that his sin was all thats serious, it is really not our place to do so as we are not the offended party.
| I dont think Grading sin is the problem. Grading using the wrong curve is the problem. Any sin no matter the size is extremely wicked when compared to the perfect one Jesus Christ, rather than using any other human being as the curve.
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05-27-2008, 08:46 PM
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One can tell that there is an inequality between certain sins because God deals with them according to different punishments. For instance, if a man beats up a pregnant woman so that both she and her unborn child dies, then the man is to be killed. But, if the woman survives, yet her unborn child still dies, the man is only fined a sum of money. So, a distinction in punishment reflects a difference in the severity of the sin committed. Yet, all sin is equally deserving of eternal punishment in hell, whether it is murdering your neighbor or simply not loving him according to the measure of perfection that Jesus would.
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Charles Plauger
Member/Grace Reformed Church
Oakland, MD
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05-27-2008, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by moral necessity One can tell that there is an inequality between certain sins because God deals with them according to different punishments. For instance, if a man beats up a pregnant woman so that both she and her unborn child dies, then the man is to be killed. But, if the woman survives, yet her unborn child still dies, the man is only fined a sum of money. So, a distinction in punishment reflects a difference in the severity of the sin committed. Yet, all sin is equally deserving of eternal punishment in hell, whether it is murdering your neighbor or simply not loving him according to the measure of perfection that Jesus would. | Yeah funny thing is the same "Christians" whom I debate with that say that all sins are equal so we should allow practicing homosexuals to be members of a church will turn around and say that a practicing murderer should not be a member of a church. Yet they claim all sins are equal  |
06-17-2008, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by VirginiaHuguenot Westminster Larger Catechism: Quote:
Q150: Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?
A150: All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.[1]
1. John 19:11; Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; I John 5:16; Psa. 78:17, 32, 56
Q151: What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?
A151: Sins receive their aggravations,
1. From the persons offending:[1] if they be of riper age,[2] greater experience or grace,[3] eminent for profession,[4] gifts,[5] place,[6] office,[7] guides to others,[8] and whose example is likely to be followed by others.[9]
2. From the parties offended:[10] if immediately against God,[11] his attributes,[12] and worship;[13] against Christ, and his grace;[14] the Holy Spirit,[15] his witness,[16] and workings;[17] against superiors, men of eminency,[18] and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto;[19] against any of the saints,[20] particularly weak brethren,[21] the souls of them, or any other,[22] and the common good of all or many.[23]
3. From the nature and quality of the offense:[24] if it be against the express letter of the law,[25] break many commandments, contain in it many sins:[26] if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions,[27] scandalize others,[28] and admit of no reparation:[29] if against means,[30] mercies,[31] judgments,[32] light of nature,[33] conviction of conscience,[34] public or private admonition,[35] censures of the church,[36] civil punishments;[37] and our prayers, purposes, promises,[38] vows,[39] covenants,[40] and engagements to God or men:[41] if done deliberately,[42] wilfully,[43] presumptuously,[44] impudently,[45] boastingly,[46] maliciously,[47] frequently,[48] obstinately,[49] with delight,[50] continuance,[51] or relapsing after repentance.[52]
4. From circumstances of time [53] and place:[54] if on the Lord's day,[55] or other times of divine worship;[56] or immediately before [57] or after these,[58] or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages:[59] if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.[60]
1. Jer. 2:8
2. Job 32:7, 9; Eccl. 4:13
3. I Kings 11:4, 9
4. II Sam. 12:14; I Cor. 5:1
5. James 4:17; Luke 12:47-48
6. Jer. 5:4-5
7. II Sam. 12:7-9; Ezek. 8:11-12
8. Rom. 2:17-24
9. Gal. 2:11-14
10. Matt. 21:38-39
11. I Sam. 2:25; Acts 5:4; Psa. 51:4
12. Rom. 2:4
13. Mal. 1:8, 14
14. Heb. 2:2-3; 12:25
15. Heb. 10:29; Matt. 12:31-32
16. Eph. 4:30
17. Heb. 6:4-6
18. Jude 1:8; Num. 12:8-9; Isa. 3:5
19. Prov. 30:17; II Cor. 12:15; Psa. 55:12-15
20. Zeph. 2:8, 10-11; Matt. 18:6; I Cor. 6:8; Rev. 17:6
21. I Cor. 8:11-12; Rom. 14:13, 15, 21
22. Ezek. 13:19; I Cor. 8:12; Rev. 18:12-13; Matt. 23:15
23. I Thess. 2:15-16; Josh. 22:20
24. Prov. 6:30-35
25. Ezra 9:10-12; I Kings 11:9-10
26. Col. 3:5; I Tim. 6:10; Prov. 5:8-12; 6:32-33; Josh. 7:21
27. James 1:14-15; Matt. 5:22; Micah 2:1
28. Matt. 18:7; Rom. 2:23-24
29. Deut 22:22, 28-29; Prov. 6:32-35
30. Matt. 11:21-24; John 15:22
31. Isa. 1:3; Deut. 32:6
32. Amos 4:8-11; Jer. 5:8
33. Rom. 1;26-27
34. Rom. 1:32; Dan. 5:22; Titus 3:10-11
35. Prov. 29:1
36. Titus 3:10; Matt. 18:17
37. Prov. 23:35, 27:22
38. Psa. 78:34-37; Jer. 2:20, 13:5-6, 20-21
39. Eccl. 5:4-6; Prov. 20:25
40. Lev. 26:25
41. Prov. 2:17; Ezek. 17:18-19
42. Psa. 36:4
43. Jer. 6:16
44. Num. 15:30; Exod. 21:14
45. Jer. 3:3; Prov. 7:13
46. Psa. 52:1
47. III John 1:10
48. Num. 14:22
49. Zech. 7:11-12
50. Prov. 2:14
51. Isa. 57:17
52. Jer. 34:8-11; II Peter 2:20-22
53. II Kings 5:26
54. Jer. 7:10; Isa. 26:10
55. Ezek. 23:37-39
56. Isa. 58:3-5; Num. 25:6-7
57. I Cor. 11:20-21
58. Jer. 7:8-10, 14-15; John 13:27, 30
59. Ezra 9:13-14
60. II Sam. 16:22; I Sam. 2:22-24
Q152: What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God?
A152: Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty,[1] goodness,[2] and holiness of God,[3] and against his righteous law,[4] deserveth his wrath and curse,[5] both in this life,[6] and that which is to come;[7] and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.[8]
1. James 2:10-11
2. Exod. 20:1-2
3. Hab. 1:13; Lev. 10:3; 11:44-45
4. I John 3:4; Rom. 7:12
5. Eph. 5:6; Gal. 3:10
6. Lam. 3:39; Deut. 28:15-68
7. Matt. 25:41
8. Heb. 9:22; I Peter 1:18-19
| | I couldnt have said it better *thumbs up*
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Aaron
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06-17-2008, 10:03 AM
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If grading sins CAN be done, then it is profitable and SHOULD be done.
I think countless examples can and should be pointed out:
-A poor man stealing bread as opposed to Hollywood stars shoplifitng for thrills....etc
It illustrates how much our motives affect our actions and our guilt. I find it extremely profitable and not dangerous at all to think upon.
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-- David Livingstone
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06-17-2008, 09:13 PM
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correct me if im wrong but there is only one sin that damns a person to hell for ever- Disbeilef in Christ as Lord and saviour.
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Jeff Rod
Eastwood Presbyterian Church PCA
member.
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To owe as little as possible, to few as possible.
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06-17-2008, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ModernPuritan? correct me if im wrong but there is only one sin that damns a person to hell for ever- Disbeilef in Christ as Lord and saviour. | There are degrees of tolerability in judgement.
Matt. 10:14, 15, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Matt. 11:21, 22, "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you."
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06-17-2008, 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by armourbearer Quote:
Originally Posted by ModernPuritan? correct me if im wrong but there is only one sin that damns a person to hell for ever- Disbeilef in Christ as Lord and saviour. | There are degrees of tolerability in judgement.
Matt. 10:14, 15, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Matt. 11:21, 22, "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you." |
Your post made me think of something I once wrote in the margin of one of my Bibles. I think I was listening to John Gerstner when I wrote these things there: Quote:
A couple of quotes from Edwards:
"...the damned in hell would give the world to have the number of their sins one less..."
"...the punishment and misery of men in another world will be in proportion to the sin that they are guilty of..."
Rev. 21:8 says--
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
"their part" is according to their deeds. Hell will burn hotter for some than others, but it will be eternal for all who go there. There is no hope of annihilation to end their torment.
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PCA
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"Whatever is laudable in our works proceeds from the grace of God."
--  John Calvin, Institutes III:xv.3.
"Our Lord God must be a good man, to be fond of worthless fellows. I cannot like them, and yet I, myself, am one."
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06-24-2008, 07:55 PM
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stealing a stick og gum and stealing a million dollars are both sins but one is more henious do to the severity of the violation.
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Aaron
Independent Baptist
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06-24-2008, 08:37 PM
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When the psalmist said, 'these six things doth the Lord hate' that likely means they are particularly horrific to Him, but then He hates all sin.
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