There’s a common misconception among Christians that all sins are equal in God’s eyes. I believe this is largely due to a misunderstanding of James 2:10 which says, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it”. At least this is the verse I used to use to support my misunderstanding of the equality of sin.
We all know that sin, any sin, separates us from God and that all of mankind is guilty of sin (cf. Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23). Maybe knowledge of these two truths also lead us to believe that all sin is equal; that because we’re all separated from God due to our sins (no longer separated if we know Christ), and we all used to practice sins of various sorts, that all sin, therefore, must be equal. But as logical as this sounds from a human perspective, the Bible simply does not support this theory, at least not in every way.
By this I mean that sin is equal in some ways but not in others. In that all sin is the breaking of Gods law, it is equal (1 John 3:4). Also in regards to the eternal punishment that sin makes one worthy of, it is equal (Romans 6:23). But not all sin is equal in regards to its severity and level of offense towards God, nor in the retribution God says it deserves in this life on earth.
For example, murder is a sin and crime that God declared worthy of death (Exodus 21:12) while stealing an ox resulted only in the thief being required to make restitution (Exodus 22:1). If both of these sins/crimes were equal in the eyes of God then both would require the same punishment.
But before we dive much deeper into the topic of sin equality, we should first understand fully what sin is.
What is Sin
A quick Google search will tell you that sin is “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.” This isn’t far off from how the Bible defines sin in 1 John 3:4 which states that “sin is lawlessness”. To be more clear, sin is the breaking of God’s Law as recorded in Scripture.
Any time we break God’s law we sin. When we do what his word tells us not to do its sin. Likewise when we fail to do that which we know we need to do, its sin.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17
Sin can be something as “harmless” as a white lie or as detrimental as murder. But regardless of the consequences or repercussions of a specific action, if it falls under the category of that which God forbids or that which is contrary to his will, its sin.
What About Old Testament Ceremonial Laws?
In stating that sin is the breaking of God’s law it should be noted that the Old Testament ceremonial laws are excluded. This includes everything that was specific to the Jewish religion in regards to temple service, sacrificial offerings, feasts and festivals, dietary and clothing restrictions, circumcision, and so on. We know that all of these things were “but a shadow of things to come” (Hebrews 10:1) and were put in place to point God’s people to Christ who ultimately would be the substance thereof (Colossians 2:17).
When Christ came these things were to be done away with simply because they were temporary and that which they were pointing to (Jesus) had come. Because of this, Christians are no longer obligated to obey the commands which fall under the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.
When I say that all sin is the breaking of God’s law, I am speaking of the moral laws of God which he commands all to obey. These laws have not changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. For example, in the Old Testament it was a sin for someone to commit murder (Exodus 20:13). It is still a sin for someone to commit murder in the New Testament and those who do such shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Revelation 21:8).
In the New Testament, however, God does not lay down a list of commandments and ordinances for all to obey like he did in the Old Testament. Instead, Jesus simply declares that we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). If we live according to these two laws we will automatically fulfill all that God requires from us for “on these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Varying Degrees of Sin According to Scripture
In both the Old and New Testaments we see that certain sins carry more weight than others; that there are certain things that men do that truly displease God. For example, in the Old Testament we read of things that are declared to be an abomination to God. Here are a few:
- Homosexual relations (Leviticus 18:22)
- Bestiality (Leviticus 18:23)
- Worshipping other gods (Deuteronomy 17:4)
- Child sacrifice (Jeremiah 32:35)
- Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness, one who sows discord among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19)
- Etc.
The fact that these sins in particular are declared to be abominations indicates that they are more heinous in the eyes of God than others. For not all sins in the Old Testament are considered by God to be abominable.
Likewise in the New Testament we see certain sins which are heavily condemned, the practice of which forbids one entry into God’s Kingdom. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:19-21 that “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” are works of the flesh and that “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Jesus also speaks of the inequality of sin in John 19:10-11 when speaking to Pilate prior to his crucifixion: “So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
And again, when addressing the issue of hypocrisy, Jesus says to “First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5) Both the “beam” and “speck” are indicative of sin, their respective sizes representative of their level of offense.
From these passages, and others like them, the Bible makes clear that not all sin is equal. While it is true that all have sinned, and the penalty for our sins is death regardless of our specific offenses (Romans 6:23), it is also true that certain acts are deemed by God as more wicked than others. However, the degree to which God holds us responsible for certain sins committed is based on a few different factors which we’ll now discuss.
To Whom Much is Given Much is Required
According to the Parable of the Talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30, God makes it clear that he doesn’t hold us responsible for that which he hasn’t entrusted to us. Likewise, God does not hold us all to the same standard in regards to the strictness in which he’ll judge us.
In Luke 12:47-48 Jesus speaks of how the “servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating.
Its clear that the degree of punishment meted out was in proportion to the servants level of knowledge in regards to their masters will. In both instances, each servant did “what deserved a beating” but the beating was less severe for the servant who knew less. This is because “to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Meaning that those to whom God gives more to (whether responsibility, knowledge, wisdom, gifts, etc.), are held to a higher level of accountability.
Teachers Held to a Higher Standard
James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” I’m not exactly sure how this greater strictness manifests itself at the Final Judgement, but its clear that God holds those who teach to a higher standard than those who don’t. This is because those who teach God’s word are responsible for those whom God has entrusted to them as pastors or teachers. As such, they will have to give an account for the manner in which they ministered to God’s people.
Of course, pastors and teachers will not be held accountable for the actions of those whom they teach, provided they taught in accordance with Scriptures. Evidence of this can be found in Ezekiel 33:7-9. Here God is speaking to Ezekiel and says, “As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.”
In this passage we understand that God was holding Ezekiel responsible for proclaiming the Word of God as it was given to him. As long as he did so he would not be held accountable for the actions of those whom he spoke to. However, if Ezekiel failed to relay Gods word then God would hold him accountable for the blood of the man who died in his sins.
This principle applies to pastors and teachers today. If they minister Gods word in integrity and faithfulness then God won’t hold them accountable for the actions of those whom rebel against God’s word. However, if a minister fails in his duty to teach God’s word in a manner that makes his congregation aware of what God commands, and what the consequences are for their lack of compliance, then indeed the blood of his congregation will be on his hands because he failed to be faithful to God in his duties as a leader among God’s people.
How Much Do You Know?
Christians collectively recognize the existence of sin. We also know that sin is displeasing to God, and try as we might to refrain from sin, we’re still guilty of it.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
However, continuing on with the idea that God judges us independently based upon the degree of our understanding, I must again quote James 4:17 which says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Upon first glance this verse seems to suggest that if one has not procured proper knowledge of what is sin and what isn’t, then the sins which he commits that he doesn’t know to be sin will not be imputed onto him.
This, I believe, is partially true for even Paul said, when speaking of the law, “Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet” (Romans 7:7). However, I do not wish to convey the idea that if a Christian is willingly ignorant of what the Bible teaches in regards to Christian conduct that they’ll be excused, but that in the event that a Christian does sin without knowledge of having committed any sin that God will have mercy on them.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
The primary purpose of James 4:17, however, is to point out that its just as sinful to fail to act on what you know to be good, as it is to do that which you know to be wrong. Too often we praise ourselves for that which we abstain from but could we commend ourselves with the same level of pomp if forced to boast only about that which we have done out of our desire to establish and maintain a clear conscience towards God?
In other words, how many times have you felt God leading you to do something but you refrained from doing it? Maybe you downplayed it as just a thought, or you put it off so long that eventually you lost interest or forgot. These are instances of failing to do the right thing when you know its the right thing to do. This is just as sinful as any iniquity listed in the Bible.
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary has this to say about the verse in question:
- 17. The general principle illustrated by the particular example just discussed is here stated: knowledge without practice is imputed to a man as great and presumptuous sin. James reverts to the principle with which he started. Nothing more injures the soul than wasted impressions. Feelings exhaust themselves and evaporate, if not embodied in practice. As we will not act except we feel, so if we will not act out our feelings, we shall soon cease to feel.
A powerful point to ponder, is it not?
What About James 2:10?
During the introduction of this post I mentioned James 2:10 as a verse I used to use in support of my misunderstanding in regards to the equality of sin. Again it states, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it”.
I used to take this verse to mean that all sin was equal in regards to its level of offense. Meaning that, I thought, telling a crude joke was on par with committing adultery. However, that’s not what the verse says or implies. What the verse means is that regardless of what law you break, you’re still guilty of breaking the law. This doesn’t mean that all law breaking deserves the same retribution. We don’t give people life in prison over a speeding ticket, neither does God view all sins as a capital offense.
The rest of the passage supports this interpretation: “For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker” (James 2:11). So regardless of which sins we commit, we’re still classified as one who has broken God’s law. Which, according to Scripture, is all of us (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:20).
Final Thoughts
As a final word on sin and its inequality I want to remind you that although not all sin is equal, this doesn’t give us permission to commit sins of the lesser sort. Just because we know that some sins are less offensive towards God than others does not give us the right to commit them. Remember, if you know that something is sinful, regardless of how sinful, its still a sin and God will hold you accountable for it. For the day will come when all of mankind will have to give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:12) and God will render to each man according to his deeds (Romans 2:6).
I say that to say this; all sin is serious. And if we know that there’s sin in our hearts and lives then we must repent so that we may present ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). For God will not hold us blameless for failing to act with integrity when we know its what he requires.
Remember, “the wages of sin is death”, and regardless of whether or not you profess faith in Christ, if you’re life is filled with unrepentant sin and rebellion towards God, then this is wage you will receive. For not all who profess Christ are his, but those who lives bear witness to the faith which they proclaim are justified in his eyes. For God takes no pleasure in those who profess to know Christ but deny him in what they do; who claim Jesus as Lord but rebel against him in word and deed.
Truly all those who work iniquity will give ear to these words before being cast into the eternal flame, “Depart from me you worker of lawlessness. I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). Thus shall be the fate of all who practice sin for he who sins is of the devil (1 John 3:8), and all who belong to Satan cannot inherit what God has prepared for those who belong to him.