Is all sin equal?
Is all sin equal? In a word, yes, in another word, no. So that鈥檚 two words for those counting.
Here goes some simple and direct Theology. All sin is equal in the sense that it all needs forgiven by God. 鈥淔or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.鈥� Romans 3:23 (NIV) There are no exceptions to who has sinned or fallen short, we all have, and we are all in the same boat or condition.
Any sin, no matter how small or seemingly irrelevant, separates us from God and brings us up short and consequently needs forgiven. 鈥淏ut we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.鈥� Isaiah 64.6A (KJ)
Anyone trying to attain acceptance before God on our own merits, terms or good deeds are looked at as meaningless, or worthless. We are imperfect and unacceptable in the eyes of God on our own and the only way to have a relationship with him is because of what Christ did on the cross and to ask Christ to come into our hearts, forgive us of our sins, big and small, our falling short and filthy rags and be our Lord and Savior.
(The saving part is easier for us than the Lord part.)
So is all sin equal? In a word as it concerns this dialogue, yes. But what about all sins are equal and we say no. Consider this poor analogy: Having sin is like being dirty. If you鈥檙e a little dirty, it doesn鈥檛 require much to clean you up, but you still need cleaned up. If you鈥檙e a lot dirty, it may take a while. How greasy, nasty and sweaty are you? How long has it been since you were washed 鈥渃lean鈥�? All dirt is dirt, and it all needs cleaned, so in that vein, all dirt is equal. But some dirt is dirtier so not all dirt is then equal.
I hope that makes sense. John 13:7-9 Jesus replied, 鈥淵ou do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.鈥� 8 鈥淣ever shall You wash my feet!鈥� (A little dirty) Peter told Him. Jesus answered, 鈥淯nless I wash you, you have no part with Me.鈥� 9 鈥淭hen, Lord,鈥� Simon Peter replied, 鈥渘ot only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!鈥濃�� It appears Peter is expressing a desire to be even cleaner, 鈥渨ash more of me.鈥�
(Berean study Bible) Prov 6:16-19 says 鈥淭hese six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (KJ)
Segue to this practical understanding: Does anyone dispute that keeping a pen you accidentally brought home from work equals bilking investors out of life savings? There is no moral comparison. Who would argue that sex between two consenting adults before marriage rises to the level of molesting a child? Is anyone disputing that it is atrocious to rape and victimize someone and that it has no resemblance to a few off-color jokes and boorish behavior? Who would defend that insulting someone with a rude demeanor parallels murder? Is it the same thing if someone tells a little white lie about liking a gift that they really don鈥檛 like, or smearing someone鈥檚 reputation and harming or ruining that life?
It鈥檚 all sin, and it all needs cleaned up by God, but unequivocally, some sins, or dirt, are worse or dirtier than others. Be advised that this isn鈥檛 about grading on a curve, but it is about recognizing that there are some behaviors and actions that are far more wicked and depraved in their scope and outcome.
Yet, we all commit acts that are unacceptable before God. No one should think, feel or believe that since we鈥檙e not as dirty as the next guy, that somehow we are 鈥渃lean enough.鈥�
1 John 1:9 says, 鈥淚f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us (clean us up) from all unrighteousness (our dirtiness).鈥�
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