Are All Sins Equal

Are All Sins Equal?

by Harley Pinon

What do you mean, Are all sins equal? There are some who would give an immediate, "Yes" answer to the question, but I'm still asking the question, "What do you mean, Are all sins equal?' Do you mean, the consequences of all sins are equal? If that's the question, I hope the answer is obviously, "No."

I really don't want you to lie to me, but I'd rather you lied to me than that you shot me, even if I didn't die. The degrees of the seriousness of the consequences of our sins are many. Even the laws of our land recognize the difference in the seriousness of premeditated murder, a murder of the passion of the moment, or man slaughter. In all three cases, someone lost their life, but the laws of our land, and the laws of God recognize the difference in murder and manslaughter.

Are there different punishments for different sins? I believe the answer is yes. I believe in degrees of punishment. See my article "Will there be degrees of punishment."

Some sins can be forgiven and some sins cannot be forgiven.

Now everyone has heard of the unpardonable sin, right? In case someone hasn't, or you're not sure what sin I am referring to, here it is: "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." (Mat 12:32 NKJV) I think most people agree that this is an unpardonable sin. Notice, I said, "an unpardonable sin," not "the unpardonable sin." The reason I said that is that I believe there is at least one more unpardonable sin. Notice this verse: "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Mat 6:15 NKJV) Now if your Father will not forgive your trespasses, why is that not an unpardonable sin? What is the sin? It is the sin of unforgiveness.

Jesus illustrated the seriousness of unforgiveness in a parable which says the same thing: 'Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. {23} "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. {24} "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. {25} "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. {26} "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' {27} "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. {28} "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' {29} "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' {30} "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. {31} "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. {32} "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. {33} 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' {34} "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. {35} "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."' (Mat 18:22-35 NKJV)

One other category needs to be considered: The willful sin: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, {27} but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." (Heb 10:26-27 NKJV) In the Old Testament, the "willful sin" was called a presumptuous sin. 'But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people. {31} 'Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.'" (Num 15:30-31 NKJV) Notice there is no hope of forgiveness mentioned. Instead: "his guilt shall be upon him."

I believe this was a concern of Peter as he was preaching in Acts 3, "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers." (Acts 3:17 NKJV) "In ignorance" was the key to knowing this was something for which they could be forgiven.

So are all sins equal? Again, I ask the question, "What do you mean: Are all sins equal?" I find one way that all sins are equal. One unforgiven sin is enough to condemn us eternally. The eating of the forbidden fruit by our first parents does not seem to equal some of the other sins we have considered. It was a deliberate sin of disobedience. It was done in full knowledge that God had told them not to do it, and they did it anyway. It was not as serious in consequences to other people as many other sins, but disobedience to God that is unforgiven will keep us from living with Him eternally. In that respect we can say that any unforgiven sin will keep us from living with eternally. I think we need to stop there. To say that all sins are equal I will not. To say that the effects of all sins are equal is an obvious mistake. To say that the punishment of all sins is equal is not taught in scripture either.

I think that the idea that "all sins are equal" is a mistaken idea that has grown from the idea that any unforgiven sin can keep us from being with God eternally. We need to leave it at that. To move beyond that and make statements that all sins will be equally punished, or that the consequences of all sin is equal is not taught in scripture.

Bible Study with Harley

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